A Church United in Prayer: Our Journey Through the Pandemic
March 21 – May 21, 2020 · Milestone 7 of 39
Less than a year after completing the purchase of our church in May 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unexpected challenge. As churches across Connecticut closed for public worship, we could no longer gather together in person. I moved our services into my home, where our congregation joined through Zoom and participated in the liturgical prayers.
Though physically separated, we continued to pray together through Great Lent, Holy Week, and the joyful Feast of the Resurrection.
March 21–28, 2020 — Preparing the Home Altar
I set up an altar at home so that we could continue celebrating the services of Great Lent and prepare for Holy Week and the Feast of the Resurrection.
April 11–12 — Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday
We prepared palms and palm crosses on Lazarus Saturday, April 11. On Palm Sunday, April 12, I celebrated the Divine Liturgy at home as our congregation joined in prayer through Zoom.
April 12–16 — Preparing for Holy Week
Beginning on Palm Sunday, we arranged the Holy Week banners, preparing our home worship space for the solemn prayers ahead. We prayed the Holy Pascha services from Monday, April 13, through Wednesday, April 15, followed by Covenant Thursday on April 16.
April 17 — Great Friday
Together through Zoom, we entered into the solemn prayers of Great Friday, remembering our Lord’s suffering and His life-giving sacrifice on the Cross.
April 17–19 — Apocalypse Night, Joy Saturday and the Feast of the Resurrection
On the night of April 17, the dark Holy Week hangings gave way to white Resurrection hangings, and we prayed the prayers of Apocalypse Night. On April 18, we observed Joy Saturday, and on Sunday, April 19, we celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection. Even from our separate homes, we shared in the joy of proclaiming: Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!
May 2 — The Resurrection Altar Cover
On May 2, the home altar remained adorned with its Resurrection cover, reflecting the continuing joy of the Holy Fifty Days.
May 21 — Returning to Our Church Building
On May 21, I returned to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in our church building. Following the state regulations in place at the time, families gathered in an organized manner in the parking lot and approached the church entrance one family at a time to receive Holy Communion.
Our first year in our new church home unfolded in ways we could never have imagined. Yet through a home altar, prayers shared over Zoom, and our gradual return to the church, our congregation remained united in faith, prayer, and the hope of the Resurrection.