Text
As we get closer to the Lenten Triodion in the Orthodox Church and make our journey towards Lent and Pascha, here is a calendar for that time. I will also soon begin to queue books related to Lent and Pascha in the Orthodox Church, which I hope will be helpful to all of you.
While the prayer of Saint Ephraim of Syrian (found at the top) is able to be prayed at any time, it is particularly prayed during Lent as part of an Orthodox Christian’s daily prayers and everyone is invited to pray it.
You are all welcome, regardless of denomination or faith background, to come along to these special Liturgies to witness and experience them and to follow our journey through Lent to Pascha. But to anyone wishing to follow along with the fasting guidelines, please do so only under the supervision of a Priest and please tell him of any medical conditions that you have.
Text
Because I Will Never Be Normal About the Paschal Canon…
Magnify, o my soul, Him Who suffered willingly, and was buried, and arose from the grave on the third day!
Shine, shine, o New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee! Dance now and be glad, Zion! And thou, pure Theotokos, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear!
Magnify, o my soul, Christ the giver of life, who arose from the grave on the third day!
Shine, shine, o New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee! Dance now and be glad, Zion! And thou, pure Theotokos, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear!
Christ is the New Pascha, the living sacrificial victim, the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world!
O divine and beloved and most sweet voice! Thou didst truly promise that thou wouldst be with us unto the end of the world, o Christ, and we the faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope!
[…]
O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ, o Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more fully partake of Thy glory in the unwavering day of Thy Kingdom!
9th Ode of the Paschal Canon
Text
Aurora lucis rutilat, caelum laudibus intonat,
mundus exultans iubilat, gemens infernus ululat,
Cum rex ille fortissimus, mortis confractis viribus,
pede conculcans tartara solvit catena miseros
Text
Surrexit pastor bonus,
qui animam suam posuit pro ovibus suis
et pro grege suo mori dignatus est. Alleluia.
The good Shepherd has risen
who laid down his life for his sheep,
who, for his flock, deigned to die. Alleluia.
Text
“The Angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is Risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
The Gospel according to St. Matthew, 28:5-6
Text
Love and Redemption: Lessons from Peter’s Journey
Above is a photo of our first morning in Galilee. My firstborn looks out on the sea at the break of morning.
Sunday is the last day of the Novemdiales: nine official days of mourning the death of Pope Francis, successor to Peter.
Sunday’s Gospel is timely as the Conclave begins this Wednesday. The Conclave will elect the Successor of Peter and John 21 is all about Peter and his desire to follow…
Text
Some of you have probably wondered “Where did the Easter Bunny come from and why does a rabbit give out eggs?”
The exact origins of the Easter Bunny are unclear, but it’s believed to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. The tradition probably stems from the pagan festival of “Ēostre”, which honored the goddess of the same name and was celebrated during the spring equinox in the form of feasting and fertility rituals. Ēostre was eventually co-opted by Christians and it was rebranded as a celebration of Jesus’s rebirth.
Following this theme of new life, rabbits and hares (which have long been seen as symbols of fertility and new life, as they often give birth to large litters in the spring) became the holiday mascot. And as early as 1682, it became a tradition for the “Easter Hare” to make the rounds and judge whether children were good or bad, similar to Kris Kindle. If they were good, they’d be given gifts like toys and colored eggs, eggs being another symbol of new life. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 18th century, where it became popularized and eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Text
Happy Sunday of St. Thomas!
The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulchre, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy.
Apolytikion of the Feast
Text
What We Learned Through Pascha
We’re back🤘with full hearts, plates, and reflections! After a great Pascha, we return with more clarity, warmth, and stories! Visit our latest blog: what we learned through this holy season, our beloved traditions, and the foods that bring us together.
What We Learn Through Greek Orthodox Pascha (Reflections, Traditions, and Foods)
