This year we have been considering the nature of Christian discipleship. What does it mean to follow Christ? to be bearers of his good news for those around us and for the world? how could each of us be better disciples? how can our church reflect and radiate God’s love?

We have looked at all this by means of sermons, of group discussion, of listening to other people’s experience, and of personal prayer. And now we come to Holy Week, which allows us to walk with the original disciples, following Christ through all that he did and suffered in that last, momentous, week of his life on earth. Here, above all, we can glimpse what discipleship is about: what it means to take up our cross and follow him; to love as he loves us. Here our questions find answers, not from listening or discussing or thinking, but by entering into the mystery of God’s love.

At an introduction to each liturgy in this section there is a troparion, that is, a sort of hymn in the style of the Eastern Orthodox church, a meditation on the meaning of the day. These may be said or sung within the liturgy of the day, and can also be used for personal meditation as the week goes on.