|
On the great Feast of Feasts, Pascha, the community at St George gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Beginning with Nocturn at 11pm, the faithful sang the Canon from Holy Saturday Matins, ending with the the transfer of the burial shroud to the altar. Immediately thereafter they departed the church in total darkness, holding lit candles, moving around the church in procession singing "Thy Resurrection O Christ our Savior" before singing the hymn of the Feast for the first time: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Fr Aleksa's sermon recounted his experience visiting Dachau concentration camp, including the icon of Christ releasing the camp's prisoners that adorns the Russian Orthodox Chapel located near the gas chambers and ovens. He discussed the meaning of the resurrection not only to our eternal life in Christ, but also to the life we live here and now - a life that, since it no longer ends in death, has been given true purpose and meaning.
After the blessing of the Easter baskets, the children hurried downstairs to begin the annual easter egg hunt. Thanks be to God for all those who offered their voices in song and prayer during Holy Week, and to those who donated their time making vestments, cleaning the altar, polishing the wood, tending to the lawn, putting together easter baskets, arranging flowers, and more.
Click "read more" below for a gallery of pictures.
|