Blessed Pascha!

Come, let us worship the Word of God

begotten of the Father before all ages,

and incarnate of the Virgin Mary!

Having endured the Cross, He was buried 

as He himself desired.

And having risen from the dead, He saved me, 

the erring one.

 

Christ our Savior nailed to the Cross the bond against us,

He voided it and destroyed the dominion of death.

We fall down before His Resurrection on the third day.

With the Archangels let us praise the 

Resurrection of Christ!

He is our Savior, our Redeemer.

He is coming with awesome glory and mighty power

to judge the world which He made.

The Angel proclaimed You as the crucified 

and buried Master.

He told the women:  “Come, see the place where He lay!

He is risen as He said, for He is almighty.”

We worship You, only immortal One.

O Christ, the Giver of life, have mercy on us!

By Your Cross, You destroyed the curse of the tree.

By Your burial You destroyed the dominion of death.

By Your rising, You enlightened the human race.

O Benefactor, Christ our God, glory to You!

Christ is risen from the dead,

trampling down death 

by death,

and upon those in the tombs 
bestowing life!


The following is a portion of what I posted last year for Pascha (Passover) - the Glorious Resurrection of Christ:

It is Orthodox tradition to exchange red eggs at Pascha. The egg is a universal symbol of life, and the color red serves to remind us of the precious blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for the salvation of all.

I found this information on a  blog regarding the origination of the red eggs: "There exists a tradition which makes Mary Magdalene to be the originator of the custom of using red eggs on Easter day. After the ascension of our Saviour, Mary Magdalene went to Rome to preach the Gospel and, appearing before the Emporer Tiberius, she offered him a red egg, saying: 'CHRIST IS RISEN....' Learning about this offering...the early Christians imitated her, presenting each other with eggs. Hence, eggs began to be used by Christians in the earliest centuries as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ and of the regeneration of Christians for a new and a better life."

And tonight after the celebration of The Divine Liturgy of Pascha, we will join our church family in the breaking of the lenten fast with the eating of the blessed eggs, and proclaiming with all of heaven and earth....

CHRIST IS RISEN!!!!

LET US GLORIFY HIM!!!!

May you and your family have a Blessed Easter!

     Warmly,

          Lori

Holy Friday

Today the Master of creation stands before Pilate.

Today the Creator of all is condemned to die on the Cross.

Of His own will, He is led as a Lamb to the slaughter.

He Who fed His people with manna in the desert is transfixed with nails.

His side is pierced, and a sponge of vinegar touches His lips.

The Redeemer of the world is slapped on the face.

The Maker of all is mocked by His own servants.

How great is the Master’s love for mankind!

For those who crucified Him, He prayed to His Father, saying:

“Forgive them this sin, for they know not what they do!”

We see a strange and fearful mystery accomplished today:

He Whom none may touch is seized.

He Who looses Adam from the curse is bound.

He Who tries the hearts of men is unjustly brought to trial.

He Who closed the abyss is shut in prison.

He before Whom the Hosts of Heaven stand with trembling stands before Pilate.

The Creator is struck by the hand of His creature.

He Who comes to judge the living and the dead is condemned to the Cross.

The Conqueror of Hell is enclosed in a tomb.

You, Who have endured all these things in Your tender love,

have saved all mankind from the curse.

O long-suffering Lord, glory to You!