Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
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.
I absolutely love the Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom. It captures so well the joy and graciousness of Easter, Pascha. I also love how the Orthodox Church knows how to feast as well as how to fast. After the 40 day fast of Lent is the 40 day feast of Pascha. Fasting is not even allowed for the first week after Pascha (Bright Week). We feasted very well on Pascha. Our service ended at about 2 a.m. or so Sunday morning and we remained feasting until about 4 a.m. or so. There were copious amount of cheese of all kinds, ham, sausage, beef, and numerous desserts. I heard there was a salad of some sort but I didn't notice any. I finally got to sleep about 5 a.m. You know you've stayed up too late when noon seems much to early to have to be anywhere!
The next day was spent going from one feast to another. Started at noon with a wonderful meal with some friends, then went to church for one of the sweetest services of the year, Agape Vespers, then over to visit another church in town who was celebrating after their vespers service with even more meat, cheese and chocolate. Finished up the evening happily discovering Nelson's Blood, a drink concoction of champagne and port which Odious has so kindly found a name for.
And, as St. John goes on to say, the feast is for everyone, not just those who fasted and somehow "deserve" to feast:
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
So keep the Feast!! The joy of Pascha is so great that it takes at least 40 days to even begin to take it in, so don't be surprised if I keep writing about it for awhile.
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
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.
I absolutely love the Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom. It captures so well the joy and graciousness of Easter, Pascha. I also love how the Orthodox Church knows how to feast as well as how to fast. After the 40 day fast of Lent is the 40 day feast of Pascha. Fasting is not even allowed for the first week after Pascha (Bright Week). We feasted very well on Pascha. Our service ended at about 2 a.m. or so Sunday morning and we remained feasting until about 4 a.m. or so. There were copious amount of cheese of all kinds, ham, sausage, beef, and numerous desserts. I heard there was a salad of some sort but I didn't notice any. I finally got to sleep about 5 a.m. You know you've stayed up too late when noon seems much to early to have to be anywhere!
The next day was spent going from one feast to another. Started at noon with a wonderful meal with some friends, then went to church for one of the sweetest services of the year, Agape Vespers, then over to visit another church in town who was celebrating after their vespers service with even more meat, cheese and chocolate. Finished up the evening happily discovering Nelson's Blood, a drink concoction of champagne and port which Odious has so kindly found a name for.
And, as St. John goes on to say, the feast is for everyone, not just those who fasted and somehow "deserve" to feast:
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
So keep the Feast!! The joy of Pascha is so great that it takes at least 40 days to even begin to take it in, so don't be surprised if I keep writing about it for awhile.
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