There may be no more powerful portrayal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Christian liturgy than that which happens in the darkness of night before Easter morning. In the Easter Vigil, a service that begins in total darkness, light is carried into the midst of the people and spreads, culminating in the jubilant proclamation…
Behold This Thy Family: Cranmer’s Good Friday Collects
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, who led the development of the Book of Common Prayer, crafted collects for Good Friday with a special emphasis on the church as the family of God. There are three collects for the day, the only occasion for which Cranmer appointed more than one. The first asks God to “behold this thy…
The Liturgical Home: Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday begins the sacred journey of the Easter Triduum (pronounced tree-do-um), the “Three Days” that span from sundown on Maundy Thursday to sundown on Easter Sunday. These are the holiest and most solemn days of the Christian year, drawing us into the heart of our faith. On this night, we remember the Last Supper,…
Holy Week at Anglican Cathedrals
Holy Week is almost upon us. This is a time when Christians mark the end of Lent with a series of observances that re-enact our Lord’s final days, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his triumph over the grave one week later. Anglican churches across the ACNA will play host to…
Palm Sunday: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Palm Sunday is a day of palm fronds, outdoor processions, and loud praises to Christ. With these practices, we mimic the crowds that went with Jesus on his way into Jerusalem. Like them, we celebrate Christ as the returning King, the son of David, and the long-awaited messiah. However, when we remember what Jesus went…
A Deeper Devotion at the Cross
Nothing is more essential to the Christian life than what we make of Jesus’ cross. As we grow in Christ, we do not move on to other, higher planes; rather, our perception of the cross deepens. Our fellowship with our crucified Messiah grows more intimate. The cross grows ever more beautiful in our eyes the longer we linger.
Praise for At the Cross
Anglican Compass announces the release of Justin Clemente’s “At the Cross: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross,” available on Amazon. This book offers insightful reflections on the Biblical Stations, drawing from various theologians and artists, enhancing understanding of Christ’s Passion, and is suitable for individual or group devotion throughout the year.
The Liturgical Home: Good Friday
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the church year. It holds profound significance for Christians, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. We solemnly remember the sacrificial acts of Jesus, who bore the sins of humanity and “reconciled to himself all things, whether in heaven or on earth, making…
Hymn Guide: O Sacred Head
“O Sacred Head” is a deeply moving devotional hymn about the Passion of Christ. It explores and celebrates the paradox that Jesus’ suffering is both ugly, in its external form, and also beautiful, in its salvific love. The hymn is most fitting to be sung during Lent, Holy Week, the Stations of the Cross, alongside funerals,…
10 Ways to Preach on Maundy Thursday
What is Maundy Thursday? The liturgy for Maundy Thursday begins a three-day observance of the most holy events in the Christian Liturgical calendar. Known as the Triduum, the service of Maundy Thursday, followed by Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Easter Vigil, cover a four-day/three-night journey into the heart of the Christian Gospel. The name…
