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The Passion and Death of Christ are commemorated on Great and Holy Friday. There is no Liturgy on this day, nor any distribution of communion. |
Recalling the ointment bearing women |
Tomb of Christ decorated with flowers |
Throwing rose petals onto the epitaphios |
Epitaphios carried around the Church |
Kissing the Icon of Christ |
Passing from death to life! |
| Updated: Images of Pascha
Glorious and Holy Easter Sunday |
The word Easter refers to the season of the rising sun, to new life of spring. The same feast is called Passover, or Pascha by many nations. The Hebrew Passover (Pasach) was instituted to commemorate the deliverance of the people of Israel the night before their departure from Egypt. The angel of God destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians, but "passed over" the houses of the Israelites.
By God's command, communicated by Moses, each Hebrew family was to slay a lamb without blemish and sprinkle its blood on the door frame. The lamb was to be roasted in the evening. No bones were to be broken, and it was to be eaten with unleavened bread. The same rite was to be repeated every year in a solemn ceremony on the eve of the feast, as it is still being done by Jewish people everywhere. Jesus observed it on the night before He died.
There is a significant link between the Christian Easter and the Jewish Passover since Christ died on Passover Day. The Jewish custom is also symbolic of Christ, "the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John, 1:29). Hence the name and signification of the Hebrew Pasch was devoutly accepted and used by the Church.
Invitation to "Take light from the Light that never Fades" |
Procession outside begins |
Approaching the altar outside of the church |
Litany of Peace |
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"O Christ Our Savior, the angels in heaven sing a hymn of praise to your resurrection. As for us who dwell on earth, make us worthy to glorify You with pure hearts." |
Proclaiming the Resurrection Christ Is Risen!!! |
| Updated: Images of the Pascha Liturgy Continued |
On this glorious and holy day, the whole Church celebrates with joy the final triumph and life-giving resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. After the long period of darkness brought about by original sin, after the seemingly endless expectation of the prophets, after the glad tidings of the nativity that came to pass, when the time had come, after the thirty hidden years and the three years of public life, after the frightful passion which had seemed to be the end of all hope, after the two days in the depth of the tomb, behold: CHRIST IS RISEN !
Indeed, indeed, He is risen, all is true, every promise of God has been fulfilled; the Savior has come, the Lamb of God has been sacrificed to take away the sins of the world, and supremely triumphant in his apparent defeat, He has crushed death by his death and restored everlasting life through his resurrection!
Faithful Proclaim the Resurrection! Christ is Risen!! |
Rapping on the doors symbolizing |
Entering the Church for Orthros and Divine Liturgy |
Distributing Pascha eggs A sign of Christ's Resurrection |
Breaking the Pascha eggs |
Greeting, "Christ is Risen!" Response, "He is Truly Risen" |
Glorious Tomb of the Risen Christ |
Celebrating the Good News |
| Images of Great and Holy Wednesday |
Monday - On this day are commemorated the story of the Ten Virgins who went out to meet the Bridegroom, and that of Joseph, son of Jacob, whose brothers sold him to the Egyptians, but who remained pure and faithful to God. He is a prototype of Christ, persecuted by his own people and delivered by them to foreigners, but raised up by God to be King and Master of all nations. The third lesson of the day is the curse of the fig tree condemned by Christ because it bore no fruit. So shall we be condemned if we do not bear the fruits of penance, humility and renouncement to illicit worldly pleasures.
Tuesday - The story of the Ten Virgins is recalled once more, then that of the men who had received different talents. Any gift from the Lord must be worked and made to fructify. The last judgment and the end of the world are also remembered.
Wednesday - The example of Mary of Magdala is remembered on this day: how she washed the Lord's feet with her tears of love and repentance, wiped them with her hair, and anointed them with costly perfume.
Oil Service for the Sacrament of Holy Unction |
Prayer service over the oil |
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"Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night: blessed is the servant He shall find awake. Do not fall into deep slumber, lest you be delivered to death and the door of the kingdom be closed on you." |
The Gospel is sung over the oil |
Veneration of the Gospel |
Anointing of the Deacon |
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A Photograph Album of the Melkite Services from Palm Sunday through Pascha with notes from the Byzantine Daily Worship by Archbishop Joseph Raya. |
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| Updated: Images of Palm Sunday |
During the fourth century, at the very place where the glorious entrance into Jerusalem had occurred, Palm Sunday was commemorated in the following fashion: first, a public reading of the gospel in which Christ is hailed as the King of Israel taking possession of his capital city, Jerusalem, symbol of the Heavenly City; then a bishop, riding an ass and surrounded by a multitude of people carrying palms and singing hymns, went up to the Church of the Resurrection. Every Eastern Church took up this celebration in the form of a procession. This also was adopted by the Church of Rome in the year 1039.
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“O Christ God, enthroned in Heaven and on earth riding upon a colt, You have accepted the praise of the Angels and the hymns of the children who were crying out to You: 'Blessed are You who come to restore Adam.' ” |
Procession begins |
Blessing of the palms |
Leaving the Church |
Procession continues around the Church |
Proclaiming the Gospel of the Feast |
| The Office of the Burial of Christ |
The Office is a meditation on the Savior's entombment and on his descent into Hades to save the souls of the just and open for them the gates of heaven. It is marked throughout with faith an hope, since the time of Christ remained in the tomb is seen by Christians as a period of refreshing sleep after the sufferings of the Passion, and as a prelude to the victory of the Resurrection.
Hades tearfully sighs! Darkness, no candles |
Light of Christ enlightens all! |
Procession of the New Light! |
Spreading of the Laurel leaves |
Proclaiming Christ's victory over death with Laurel leaves |
"The angel stood by the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women: 'Ointments are for the dead, but Christ has proven Himself free from decay.'" |
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The Lord's Last Supper is commemorated on this day, together with his humility and love as He washed an kissed his disciples' feet. |
Carrying the Crucifix Service |
Carrying the Cross and Body of Christ |
The Crucifixion |
Raising the Cross on Golgotha |
Placing the Cross on Golgotha |
Veneration of the Cross |
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