OCFacts
Themes of Holy Week
fast, feast, repeat
Iconic Saints
All about John
100

These university OCF chapters are currently attending this Orthodox church tour together.

What is Cal Poly OCF, Berkeley OCF, UC Davis OCF, and USF OCF. 

100

Holy Week begins with this feast commemorating Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, where people greeted Him with palm branches.

What is Palm Sunday?

100

This 40-day fasting season prepares Orthodox Christians spiritually for the celebration of Pascha.

What is Great Lent?

100

This warrior saint is often shown in icons riding a horse and slaying a dragon.

Who is Saint George?

100

St. John Maximovitch was born in 1896 in this country before later fleeing during the Bolshevik Revolution.

What is Russia?

200

When OCF chapters from different Orthodox jurisdictions, Greek, Antiochian, OCA, Serbian, and others, gather together as one campus ministry, this word, meaning “all,” is used to describe their unity.

What is pan-Orthodox?

200

This sacrament, often served during Holy Week, involves the anointing of the faithful with blessed oil for the healing of soul and body.

What is Holy Unction?

200

On this feast, celebrated 40 days after Pascha, the Church commemorates Christ rising bodily into heaven.

What is the Ascension?

200

This healer saint is often shown in icons holding a small medical box because he treated the sick without accepting payment.

Who is Saint Panteleimon?

200

While serving in California, St. John helped establish this cathedral dedicated to the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

What is the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco?

300

The OCF chapters on this tour represent schools whose mascots are these four animals or figures.

What are the Mustangs, Aggies, Golden Bears, and Dons?

300

During the first services of Holy Week, Christ is referred to as this figure who comes at midnight, calling the faithful to spiritual watchfulness and repentance.

Who is the Bridegroom?

300

This two-week fasting period from August 1–14 prepares Orthodox Christians for the Great Feast on August 15, commemorating the falling asleep of the Theotokos.

What is the Dormition Fast?

300

This Russian saint, known as a “Fool for Christ,” wandered the streets of St. Petersburg in poverty after the death of her husband and became known for her prayers and miracles. Young Orthodox Christians often pray to this saint for help with housing, finding a spouse, and guidance in major life decisions.

Who is Xenia of Saint Petersburg?

300

St. John Maximovitch is often given this title, referencing the two major cities where he served as bishop.

What is “of Shanghai and San Francisco”?

400

These student leaders currently serve as the presidents of the OCF chapters attending this church tour.

Who is Olivia, Dominic, Caleb, Maria, and Christianna

400

During the Holy Saturday morning service in the Orthodox Church, the priest throws these fragrant leaves and flower petals throughout the church as a sign of Christ’s triumph over death.

What are bay leaves and rose petals?

400

Celebrated 50 days after Pascha, this Great Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and is often called the birthday of the Church.

What is Pentecost?

400

This famous icon by the Russian iconographer Andrei Rublev depicts three angels seated around a table and is widely understood as a symbolic representation of this central Christian mystery.

What is the Holy Trinity?

400

Near the end of World War II, St. John helped approximately this many refugees escape to an island in the Philippines.

What is 5,000 refugees?

500

Orthodox Christian Fellowship serves college students across North America and is officially overseen by this assembly of Orthodox bishops.

What is the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America?

500

Chanted during the Bridegroom Matins of Holy Tuesday evening, this famous hymn written by a 9th-century Byzantine abbess reflects the repentance of the sinful woman who anointed Christ’s feet.

What is the Hymn of Kassiani?

500

This Great Feast, celebrated on August 6, commemorates Christ revealing His divine glory to Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor.

What is the Transfiguration?

500

In many Orthodox churches, the dome contains an icon of Christ looking down over the congregation, emphasizing His role as ruler and judge of all.

What is Christ Pantocrator? 

(meaning “Christ Almighty” or “Ruler of All”)

500

St. John Maximovitch reposed during a trip to this Pacific Northwest city in 1966.

What is Seattle?

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