![](../../images/people/holyfire1.jpeg)
Archbishop
Mark and a Group of Pilgrims Depart for Jerusalem for Passion
Week and Pascha
His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany flew out
of Munich along with a group of pilgrims through Greece (with
a half-day layover in Athens), bound for the Holy Land. Despite
the military events, this pilbgrimage was eagerly awaited
by the faithful, especially since it included Passion Week,
Pascha and Bright Week. The expected group of 20 was in fact
doubled. Some who had departed for the Holy Land independently,
unable to obtain tickets with the group, will join them there
(there were 20 people on the waiting list). Because of the
absence of Vladyka Mark, the Paschal services in the Cathedral
of the Holy New Martyrs of Russia in Munich will be led by
His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart. He will spend Passion
Week in Stuttgart, arriving in Munich for Pascha.
Archbishop Mark will return to Munich on Bright Week to officiate
at the "Children's Pascha" at the Munich Cathedral
on Bright Saturday. By tradition, a children's choir sings
liturgy alone on this day. After liturgy there is a Paschal
trapeza feast, an "egg roll" and other children's
games.
(Photo: The descent of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem, taken
by Catherine White of San Francisco, a participant in the
1999 pilgrimage.)
|