Pascha 2023

A brief and personal reflection

Bright Week 2023 is coming to close.

On Sunday morning in the wee hours of the morning, along with our whole parish and various visitors we shouted “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!” and then in every language we could muster.

I expect there were plenty there that night who hadn’t been fasting, but it didn’t matter. The Paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom makes it abundantly clear to all that it does not matter at what point you arrive, it only matters that you are there, but for those who can and do fast, the feast is especially decadent.

In all of my Protestant life, there was never such a feeling of exultation and joy as I have experienced these past two Pascha celebrations. Last year we were baptized on Holy Saturday, when it is customary for catechumens to be baptized (though it is not the only time they are baptized). For me however, it is something I thought I could only dream of, and God saw fit to bring that desire to pass. Last year, I was the newly illumined, full of the Grace that is imparted through baptism and Chrismation. I experienced a closeness to God that was unlike anything I’ve felt before—but it wasn’t about feelings or emotions. I cannot fully articulate what the experience was—more like a quickening of my spirit. The intensity of the emotions from that day has faded over the past year of course, but the “quickening” has not. It is still a constant and peaceful presence in my heart that I am near to God and where I am supposed to be.

Naturally, I was very excited to experience Pascha again, but set my expectations a bit low, because I had the concern that perhaps it wouldn’t be as amazing as I remembered. It was. It was every bit as wonderful. This year I was privileged to watch six new catechumens be baptized and Chrismated, and I rejoiced and cried as they went into the water and came out, smiling. I was refreshed in my spirit to be reminded that “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” We stayed up into the wee hours of the morning feasting and fellowshipping, and no one was in a rush to leave. We finally crawled into bed at 5:30 a.m. and there were others who stayed later than we did! After four hours’ sleep we had a leisurely breakfast and went back to church for Paschal vespers and a continuation of the feast that we had begun in the middle of the night. Every meat and cheese imaginable was spread for us, and we contributed in kind. I could not have anticipated how wonderful it would all be after eating only vegan fare for seven whole weeks, but this is the preview, isn’t it? A tiny play-version of the feast that is to come when Christ returns and we are united with him for all of eternity. To our temporal minds and bodies, however, it absolutely functions to raise our expectation, hope and longing for that day!

This is where I could describe all the things that happen during our Paschal services, but I won’t. It is something that must be experienced. At this point, I will merely extend the warmest invitation to come and see. If you are hungry, come to the table. The feast is spread and the doors are open, but you must come through them. Come and see what the Body of Christ truly is and experience the joy of partaking in the feast.

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom

If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.

And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.

Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen