On Sunday evening, the most important service of the entire Orthodox ecclesiastical year is celebrated. It is the resurrection service, when the priest will confirm the news of this wondrous event to the congregation. The church is darkened, symbolic of the darkness of the tomb. Then the priest, carrying a white candle from the eternal vigil light on the holy altar, proclaims:
``Come ye and receive light from the unwading light...''
The church slowly fills with the flickering light of hope that has become reality.
The news from the resurrection is read from the gospel according to Mark... And then the brief and vibrant hymn of the resurrection is sung. It starts as w whisper from the priest's lips, to grow into an explosive triumphant hymn sung by the entire congregation.
|
Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας και της εν τη μνήμασι ζωής χαρισάμενος |
Christ has risen from the dead by dead trampling upon death and has bestowed life to those in the tombs. |