Pascha came early this year and is being celebrated with the joy that characterizes Pascha in the monastery. After the very long and solemn services of Holy Week, the bright and great feast of the Lord’s Passover was greeted by the brethren and seminarians and the many pilgrims of the monastery with great rejoicing. Thank God, we were able to have our procession once around the church at the beginning of Paschal matins, led by His Grace Bishop Luke.
After the Paschal matins, which the bishop and clergy celebrated from the middle of the church, the Divine Liturgy proceeded within the altar. According to tradition, the Paschal Gospel was read in four languages: Greek, English, Spanish and Church Slavonic. A light blagovest was rung while the reading was proceeding.
So great was the crowd of worshipers, that Holy Communion was made available from five chalices. At the end of the liturgy, all the brotherhood and the seminarians greeted the faithful with the Paschal kiss.
Upon completion of this, there was a Cross procession with the bishop and the clergy participating and processing to the monastery refectory. The bishop thereupon read the prayer for breaking the fast and blessed all of the dining areas with holy water. Eating was in silence. A breakfast of Pascha bread, Pascha cheese, assorted cheeses, salmon, bread, butter and milk was enjoyed by all.
Later, after a much needed rest, a formal lunch was served with the traditional fish in aspic. Then Vladyka received the brethren, seminarians and pilgrims in his office for a reception. At 3PM, Paschal Vespers was served with many people in attendance. And so, the rest of Bright Week is being commemorated with Paschal servings being held morning and evening, so as to glorify the Risen Lord after a long fast, with great joy and singing and greeting each other joyfully with the ancient words: “Christ is Risen.” “Truly His Is Risen!”
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