Holy Monday

Comparison of Joseph of the Old Testament with Christ.

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Explanation of the Service

by Rev. Demetrios George Kalaris

On this day we commemorate the parable of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins, which contains the instructive teaching of our Lord before the Crucifixion, regarding the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. It teaches that we should always be prepared to receive Him. We are urged to this readiness by the parable of the wise virgins who had their lanterns filled with oil and waited with anticipation for the bridegroom (that is, Christ who is depicted as a bridegroom on Judgment Day), while the foolish virgins were not prepared and left their lanterns empty.

We are asked to emulate the example of the wise virgins in this parable, to examine ourselves and to see where we stand before the mirror of judgment. Are we prepared to receive the bridegroom? Christ, in this parable, praised those who awaited Him coming and prepared for His advent with the lighted lamps of faith and good works. The remainder of the serving is the same as that of the previous evening. In the troparia of Holy Tuesday we are asked to use our talents for the performance of good deeds and works, fully preparing ourselves for the advent of our- Savior and the inheritance of eternal blessedness.