EP calls different Paschal dates a "scandal"
( Orthodox Times ) - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended in his homily his heartfelt wishes to all the non-Orthodox Christians who celebrated the Holy Easter on Sunday, March 31, after presiding over the Sunday Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Theodore of the Community of Vlanga. “On this day, the timeless message of the Resurrection resonates more profoundly than ever, as our non-Orthodox Christian brethren and sisters commemorate the resurrection of our Lord from the dead, celebrating Holy Easter. We have already sent our representatives to all the Christian Communities of the confessions here, to extend our heartfelt wishes of the Holy Great Church of Christ and our Patriarchal congratulations. But also from this position we extend a heartfelt greeting of love to all Christians around the world who celebrate Holy Easter today. We beseech the Lord of Glory that the forthcoming Easter celebration next year will not merely be a fortuitous occurrence, but rather the beginning...
Thank you for posting this beautiful work. It is a particularly interesting painting in that it appears to show a historic church that is in the process of being restored to worship. I saw many churches like this when I travelled to Russia 10 years ago - the structure of the building has been restored (very likely by the government), and it has just recently been handed over to the Church. Thus the iconostasis is a temporary structure and there are a few moveable icons and furnishings, but no frescoes. I also notice that the service is taking place at the south side chapel, not the central altar. Perhaps this small corner of the building is all that has been made ready for worship so far, and restoration of the main altar awaits more funds or more worshippers. It is a poignant vignette showing a condition so typical of Orthodoxy in recent years. The painter has chosen to show the church flooded with light as a metaphor for the restoration of worship.
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