Pasadena Churches Weave Disaster Recovery Into Holy Week Observances

When Palm Sunday initiates Holy Week 2025 on April 13, local churches will evolve ancient religious traditions into powerful current narratives of community resilience and renewal in the wake of January’s devastating Eaton Fire. Pasadena religious leaders say they are explicitly connecting spiritual observances to the city’s ongoing recovery journey while marking an unusual year when Eastern Orthodox and Western churches will celebrate Easter simultaneously.

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell of All Saints Church articulated this profound connection.

“In some ways, the journey of Holy Week through the devastation of Good Friday and into reclaiming the resurrection promise of Easter is a metaphor for the journey of the Altadena/Pasadena community as we journey together to new life and rebirth,” Russell said.

Multiple congregations are offering distinctive services that bridge spiritual traditions with community trauma. At All Saints Church, the Good Friday Stations of the Cross will begin on the Quad Lawn and journey through Pasadena streets, while Pasadena Presbyterian Church presents a contemplative “Friends of Music” devotional concert.

Saint Andrew Catholic Church will host an extensive series of services including Tenebrae, traditional foot washing, and processions featuring the image of the dead Christ.

Father Marcos Gonzalez of Saint Andrew Catholic Church noted the fire’s impact on local parishes.

“It’ll be a little bit different, I think, in two of our churches, Saint Elizabeth and Sacred Heart, because they were very much affected by the wildfires,” Father Gonzales said.

The Good Friday Stations of the Cross at All Saints Church exemplifies this approach, with Rev. Russell describing a powerful ritual that journeys through Pasadena “recreating events that encompassed Jesus’ journey carrying his cross… connecting His suffering and death to the ways we suffer and die.”

This year holds additional significance as a Catholic Jubilee Year, with Father Gonzalez noting an unprecedented 60 people joining the church at Easter. He emphasized the community’s inclusive approach, explaining that participants are chosen to represent “every parish group, every age, every race, ethnicity, so that it shows that Christ came for all people.”

Father Gonzalez also highlighted a modern challenge facing traditional observances, noting that traditional Good Friday services from 12 to 3 p.m. conflict with most work schedules. In response, Saint Andrew has added evening services to accommodate working parishioners.

“We are finding that in this time of challenge and polarization many are feeling called to either discover or rediscover opportunities to gather for connection and support,” Rev. Russell explained.

Each congregation has adapted its traditions to contemporary needs. Pasadena Presbyterian Church offers contemplative musical experiences and prayer opportunities, while All Saints Church maintains its longstanding invitation that “Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, there is a place for you here.”

The churches’ approach reflects a broader cultural response to trauma, providing spiritual frameworks that help community members process collective grief and envision renewal. By explicitly connecting ancient religious narratives to contemporary experiences of loss and recovery, these Holy Week observances offer both symbolic meaning and practical community support.

As Pasadena continues to heal from the Eaton Fire, these religious services stand as powerful testimonies to resilience, community, and the enduring human capacity to find hope in the midst of devastation.