Teaching spot 26
PASCHA
In the Orthodox Church the Easter Feast is officially called Pascha, the word means Passover and it refers to the new and everlasting covenant foretold by the prophets.
Originally, the word ‘Passover’ referred to the events recounted in Exodus 12 where a lamb was slain in each household and its blood sprinkled on the lintel and doorposts of the house so that when the first born were slain the angel of death would pass over the houses so marked. This is the event remembered at the Jewish Passover. The fulfilment of the Jewish Passover in Christ has made Him, for Christians, the ‘Paschal Lamb’.
In the Christian context Pascha signifies a passing over from death to life, from earth to heaven, a day of victory, the Day of the Kingdom of God. The words ‘This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!’ are spoken with real feeling.
Easter is the Feast of Feasts, celebrated by the church with special solemnity. The lights, flowers, vestments all denote the flood of joy and grace, which proceed from the Resurrection of the Saviour.
In the Eastern Church a little before midnight on the eve of Easter Sunday the service begins. The Church is darkened, the Priest, standing before the Holy Altar, lights a white candle and chants the words:
Come take light from the Light that is never overtaken by night. Come, glorify Christ, Who is risen from the dead.
As the people leave the building with tapers lit from the candles held by altar boys, the following words are sung:
The angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour, sing of Your resurrection. Make us on earth also worthy to hymn You with a pure heart.
The doors are closed and the resurrection of Christ is announced. The gospel is read which tells of the empty tomb. The Easter troparion is sung, the first of many renderings on this night.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.
The Priest knocks on the church door for re-entry using the words ‘lift up your heads O ye gates that the King of glory may come in’ a voice from inside asks ‘who is this King of glory?’ the Priest answers ‘the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle….the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!’. The doors are opened.
The people re-enter the church building and continue the service of Easter Matins, which is entirely sung. The building is now full of light and flowers. The Priests wear vestments, which are the bright robes of the resurrection. The Easter Icon is prominent showing Christ destroying the gates of hell and freeing Adam and Eve from the captivity of death. It is the image of the Victor ‘trampling down death by his own death’. The triumphant words are sung:
It is the day of resurrection, O people, let us be radiant. Pascha, the Lord’s pascha; for Christ God has brought us from death unto life, and from earth unto heaven as we sing the triumphal hymn.
Towards the end of the Easter service the famous Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom is read (See below for a copy of this). This sermon is an invitation to all the faithful to forget their sins and to join fully in the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the Passover Lamb, following this rendering, in some parishes, all partake of the eucharistic gifts.
The Paschal season continues until Pentecost. The faithful greet one another with the words ‘Christ is risen’ during this season, the response being ‘He is risen indeed’. First to say these words is the Priest at the end of the service and the response from the congregation is explosive, the season of Easter joy has begun!
The Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom
If any be a devout lover of God, let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour, let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third, let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any, have come after the sixth, let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth, let him not hesitate to draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh, let him not be afraid because he comes so late.
For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour in the same way as to him who laboured from the first.
He accepts the deed and commends the intention.
Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who have fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice today.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.
Let none lament his poverty; for the universal kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions; for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear; for the death of the Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met you face to face below; filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing; filled with bitterness, for it was mocked; filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown; filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains. It received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven. O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are cast down. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of the dead; For Christ, having risen from the dead, is become the firstfruits of those that have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen
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