Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα (Holy Week) from the early Christian centuries, was named the week before Easter because, according to the church teachings, great, secret, and salvific events occurred during it: the Holy Passion, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (1822) by William Blake, Tate Gallery.

On Holy Tuesday the Church commemorates the Parable of the Ten Virgins According to Matthew, ten virgins await a bridegroom; five have brought enough oil for their lamps for the wait, while the oil of the other five runs out. The five virgins who are prepared for the bridegroom's arrival are rewarded, while the five who went to buy further oil miss the bridegroom's arrival and are disowned.

The parable forms one of the themes of the first three days of Holy Week, with its teaching about vigilance, and Christ as the Bridegroom.