Romanian Catholic Diocese

Eparchy of St. George in Canton

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                                March 28, 2026

                                Palm Sunday

Beloved family in Christ Jesus, our Lord,

I greet you at the conclusion of the season of Great Lent, a time of assessing our spiritual lives and claiming with conviction whose side we are on. Are we serving the powers of the world with its penchant for avarice, anger, and pride, or are we committing to the way of gentleness, humility, nonviolence, and love espoused by our Lord and Teacher, Jesus Christ? Upon our celebration today of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we will behold, in our Holy Week services, what that triumph means and what it costs.

Following Christ during Holy Week

The service of Matins on Holy and Great Monday is known as the “Bridegroom Service,” and where it is served, it is typically done on the evening of Palm Sunday, as well as on Great and Holy Monday and Tuesday. The icon of Christ known as “The Bridegroom” used in this service is of Jesus, his hands bound, wearing his robe of mockery, his crown of thorns, and his scepter of reed. His body is covered in bloody wounds from his scourging at the hands of Roman soldiers. This icon illustrates the state of perfect abasement in which he takes up his cross and voluntarily sets out upon his final journey to Calvary and the salvation of the world.

This service, recalling the parable of the wedding feast in the Gospel of Matthew, includes this hymn:

I see your bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior,

But I have no garment that I may enter therein.

O Giver of Light, make radiant

the garment of my soul and save me.

We who wish to enter upon the liturgy of our redemption, and then to celebrate Christ’s resurrection—and ours—must take realistic stock of our own sinfulness and spiritual poverty as our necessary preparation to enter into the mystery of Christ’s extreme humility, of his suffering, death, and resurrection. We do not examine ourselves to count up our achievements, but to see how our idea of success compares with his.

The Romanian Catholic Diocese of Canton is committed to
 keeping all child/youth/vulnerable safe.
 We encourage people to confidentially report any past or present
 suspected inappropriate behavior toward children/vulnerable.

 How to Report:
 1. Contact local Civil Authorities (911)
 2. Contact Diocese of Canton Victim Assistance Coordinator 330-493-9355

 Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting System
https://reportbishopabuse.org.
 or (800) 276-1562  

 Thank you for your commitment to keep all children/youth/vulnerable safe!