Pascha

The sixth Sunday of Pascha, May 28,2023 is dedicated to the memory of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, which was held in the year 325 AD. Through these Fathers, God has given us the Symbol of our Faith, The Nicene Creed.

Throughout the Season of Pascha, the priest uses the Three-Branched Candlestick symbolizing the Light of the Resurrection. The theme of Light is echoed in all the hymns of the season along with brightness, radiance and splendor.

Established many years ago this Sunday in our country we celebrate in the afterglow of Pascha, Mother’s Day. This is a very important day in the life of our country where we pay homage and thankfulness to our mothers, grandmothers, etc., for their many sacrifices on our behalf.

The Gospel for May 7, 2023 is the Gospel reading of the Paralytic. Some of the most beautiful hymns of the Orthodox Church dramatize Jesus’s encounter with the paralyzed man. The Vesperal Hymn of that day sings, “the paralytic, an unburied dead man, upon seeing You cried out; Lord have mercy on me! My bed has become my grave. Of what use is my life? But I come to You, the fountain of healing, that I may say together with all Almighty Lord, glory to You!” It further sings, “Lord it was not the pool that healed the paralytic but your word”.

On the Third Sunday after Pascha we in the Orthodox Church celebrate the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women who were witnesses to the death, burial and Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! The Sunday after Pascha is referred to as the Sunday of St. Thomas, it is also referred to as Antipascha. The Gospel reading is from John chapter 20:19-29.

This Sunday is dedicated to the story of Christ and the Samaritan Woman. There are basically three parts to this gospel from John Chapter 4 verses 5-42.

This Sunday May 15, 2022 we hear the Gospel from the Evangelist John, Chapter 5:1-15, which dramatized Jesus’ encounter with the paralyzed man.

This Sunday, May 8th, we celebrate the 3rd Sunday after Pascha and Mother’s Day 2022. This indeed is a joyful day of celebration firstly for the women who came to anoint the crucified Christ and were greeted by an angel who proclaimed Christ’s glorious Resurrection. Secondly, we commemorate Mother’s both living and those who have fallen asleep with an American Civil holiday.

This, the Sunday After Pascha, is known as the Antipascha and is dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle. The three most important themes that stand out in the reading for this Sunday are that of mission, peace and the theme of faith and doubt; thus the term Doubting Thomas.