Tag: veiling

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The Passiontide Veiling

St. Michael Orthodox Church, Whittier, California

As the faithful of the Western Rite enter in our church buildings on the Sunday before Palm Sunday, our eyes search for the familiar and holy images that we have become accustomed to seeing there, but instead we find violet veils. Those experiencing this for the first time may be confused—and hopefully, disturbed—at not seeing the holy images. The cross and the icons are veiled from our sight on the fifth Sunday of Lent, traditionally called “Passion Sunday,” and it marks a distinct turning toward the end of this Lenten journey. But why are the icons veiled, and why is this called “Passion” Sunday if the Gospel passage (St. John 8:46-59) isn’t the account of Christ’s passion?

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The Sad and Happy Veiling

At the Vespers of Dominica Prima Passionis, or Passion Sunday (the 5th Sunday of Lent), all of the Icons, statues, crucifixes, and other images of Christ and the Saints are veiled from sight in Western Rite churches. This custom probably seems troubling to Eastern Rite Christians, but rest assured, it’s troubling to those in the Western Rite, too. Upon entering the church at Vespers or on the Sunday morning following and seeing purple veils draped over all of the familiar and beloved images, the faithful are significantly impacted spiritually and psychologically. It’s never pleasant to have that which you love hidden from you. Continue reading “The Sad and Happy Veiling”