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Apr. 28, 2003 Easter is the most important Holiday on the Christian calendar. But to the Orthodox religion, it's a bigger Holiday than Christmas. The Greeks, including my family, celebrate Easter with such enthusiasm that it's contagious. We have relatives, who are not Greek, that celebrate "Greek Easter" instead of the traditional Easter. My friend Bill, who went to a Catholic college, was told by one of his professors that the Greeks celebrate the "True" Easter. It has something to do with the full moon, and the Spring Equinox. I don't understand it, and I won't even try. Here is an example our typical "Holy Week" of Easter schedule. It starts on Palm Sunday, with services in the morning, and then again at night. The night services calls to mind the beginning of Jesus' suffering. This is the beginning of our long and beautiful Easter week. Monday evening's theme (services) is the need for watchfulness and preparation, so we are prepared to account for ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ. Tuesday evening we have another service. The theme of this evening is a call to the body of Christ for true repentance. Wednesday's services (Day and Night) is our human need for the healing and forgiveness that comes into our lives when we establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Thursday morning's service is themed on the Last Supper. A beautiful ceremony, for those who can attend. Thursday evening's service commemorates the undeserved suffering of Jesus, endured for our sake. The Gospel readings this night witness for us the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, his trial and conviction, and finally his torture. The evening also includes a procession representing Christ carrying His cross. Onto Friday afternoon. We are still witness to Jesus' suffering. What is remembered on this day is the faithfulness and love of Joseph, who removed Jesus' body from the cross, wrapped it in clean linen, and carried it to his own unused tomb for burial. On Friday evening, (Good Friday) the theme is about Christs' descent into Hades during which the Gospel of repentance and reconciliation with God is shared with those who died before Christ's saving dispensation in the flesh. On Saturday morning, the Church doors open at 6am to allow all of us to receive "Holy Communion" This service symbolizes faithfulness, and receiving it's reward. On Saturday night, the Church is plunged into darkness to symbolize the despair and defeat experienced before the dawn of Christ's victory over the enemy of our salvation. At precisely midnight, a single light emerges from the altar, representing Jesus, "The light of the World" The light is passed from person to person, each with his own candle, till the darkness is pushed back and defeated. After the service, we carry the light back to our homes, so the too may be filled with light, warmth, and triumph. The Resurrection is complete. On Easter Sunday, Christ's Resurrection and victory is affirmed. In the service the Gospel is read in several different languages to illustrate the universality of the Good News of the Resurrection. After the services, we proceed to our homes and have a feast that, I just can't describe. If you want to know what the feast looks like, you can either get invited to one, or see the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Well that is our
typical Easter week. As you can see it's full of ceremony, and tradition that
dates back almost 2000 years. This has been a long week for us, but well worth
it. I wouldn't trade it with anyone.
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