Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

Great and Holy Pascha

Christ is Risen from the Dead

Trampling down death by death

And upon those in the tombs bestowing Life!

Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal

Thou didst destroy the power of death

In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God

Proclaiming rejoice to the Myrrhbearing women,

Granting peace to Thine Apostles,

and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.

Today is the Eastern Orthodox Easter, called Pascha. We ushered in the day with a very long service that started at 11:00 P.M. last night and ended sometime after 1:45 A.M. this morning (but we left then, so I'm not sure how much longer it went on).

Pascha in the Orthodox Church is amazing. They turn off the lights and blow out all the candles so that it is pitch black in the sanctuary. Then, the priest comes out with a single candle and lights the candles of the first people (in our case, the parish council members), who then pass the flame to all the assembled congregation. Then, there is a procession to outside of the church, where the priest announces the Resurrection and we all sing the Paschal Hymn (above).

When we return to our seats, the Divine Liturgy begins, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord than with Holy Communion. And while the faithful are partaking of the Lord's Supper, the following sermon is read. The people are fully involved, because everytime the reader says "Embittered," we repeat "Bitter!" And every time he says, "Christ is Risen!" we repeat, "Risen!"

Christ Is Risen!

If anyone be a devout lover of God, let him delight in this fair and radiant feast. If anyone be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has wearied himself with fasting, let him receive his reward. If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him receive his wages. If anyone has come after the third hour, let him celebrate the feast with a grateful heart. If anyone has come after the sixth, let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth, let him not hesitate but draw near. If anyone has arrived only at the eleventh, let him not be alarmed because of his tardiness. For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him who has toiled from the first. He accepts the deed, and commends the intention. Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord. First and last, receive alike your reward. Rich and poor, dance together. You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together. The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it. The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry. Let all partake of the banquet of faith. Let all enjoy the riches of goodness. Let none lament his poverty; for the universal Kingdom is revealed. Let none bewail his transgressions; for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb. Let none fear death; for the death of the Savior has set us free. He who was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hell and took hell captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! Isaiah foretold this when he cried:Hell was embittered when it met Thee face to face below. Embittered, for it was brought to nothing;
embittered, for it was mocked;
embittered, for it was overthrown;
embittered, for it was bound in chains.
Hell took a body, and encountered God. It took earth, and confronted heaven. O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the devils are cast down.
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And eternal life reigns!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead.
For Christ, having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages. Amen!
The Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom