Pascha at my parish

We arrived some 30 minutes early; enough to be there for most of the Matins of the Resurrection, which follows the priest removing the burial shroud from the tomb and placing it on the altar. If you have not experienced the procession here is how that icon of orthopraxis St. Elias Church in Ontario does it.



Even as early as we were for the Divine Liturgy, we found the last open concatenated seats in the nave. Very quickly the doors to the narthex were opened and seats were put down. Regardless, many were left standing. As with Christmas I am both happy to see these people and saddened that they choose to spend their time with us so infrequently.

The reading (below) was chanted in English, Greek, Slavonic, French, and Spanish.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being
in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
(John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'")
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Immediately following the liturgy was a procession to the fellowship hall for the blessing of the baskets and subsequent egg hunt. My wife took the task of basket filling rather zealously and made:

Vichyssoise soup with watercress
Steamed lobster
Smoked fish
Boiled shrimp
Single rib roast
French racks of Lamb
Quail eggs
Roasted chicken (for the kids)
Blanched vegetables with homemade French dressing
Cucumber and watercress salad
Strawberry berry salad
Assortment of fruits, cheeses, and breads
Wines and carbonated fruit juices
Tiramisu
Chocolate cheesecake

I am full.

Next week we drive down to Houston to see a deacon ordained. I hope to take pictures of the event depending on pastoral approval.