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Holy Pascha 2020

Καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου εἶχεν δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις· καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον, ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ. ‘And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid’ (Mark 16:8). We also come to the tomb, very early in the morning, finding it empty, and hearing the words of the angel.  We feel with the myrrh-bearing women the same trembling and amazement at the Resurrection of Christ.

Ὡς ζωηφόρος, ὡς παραδείσου ὡραιότερος ὄντως καὶ παστάδος πάσης βασιλικῆς ἀναδέδεικται λαμπρότερος, Χριστέ, ὁ τάφος σου, ἡ πηγὴ τῆς ἡμῶν ἀναστάσεως.

How life-giving, how much more beautiful than paradise, and truly more resplendent than any royal palace proved Thy tomb, the source of our resurrection, O Christ.

5 comments to Holy Pascha 2020

  • Seraphim

    A Blessed Pascha to you and your community, dear Father Justin!

    Thank you again for your beautiful pics of the recent divine services as well as those of the natural world around you.

  • Alexandra

    Christ is Risen!

    Dear Father Justin, Pascal greetings to you from Moscow.
    Thank you for your absolutly unique blog!
    Wishing you and all at St Catherine’s a Blessed Easter,
    Alexandra

  • EARLENE SCHMITT

    Beautiful service Father Justin!
    I have not seen the icon painting before, is there an interpretative publication on the symbols? I recognize the keys.

    • Father Justin

      The traditional icon of the Resurrection of Christ is known as the Harrowing of Hades. Christ is depicted standing astride the bronze doors of Hades. Death lies captive beneath, with locks and chains and keys, now useless, scattered around him. Christ raises Adam and Eve from their tombs. In the Catechetical Homily of Saint John Chrysostom that is read as a part of the Paschal service, he quotes Saint Paul, ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ And he adds, ‘Risen is Christ, and life doth reign. Risen is Christ, and there is none dead in the tomb. For Christ is raised from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.’

  • Dominique Baron

    Dear Father Justin,
    Thank you for those inspiring pictures of the Holy Pascha celebrated in the Holy monastery. The Resurrection of Christ icon you are holding; I am curious about it and tried to find a picture of it to look at the details you mentioned. Even in the large book Icons from Sinaï, it is not published. Do you have a specific photograph of this icon dear Father? Thank you and have a peaceful day.

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