To Aghio Fos
Photo Source: Konstantina Moutos
Χριστός Ανέστη εκ νεκρών,
θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας
και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν,
Ζωήν χαρισάμενος
----------
Decorating the Epitafio at Evangelismos Tis Theotokou,
Good Friday 1959, Wellington New Zealand
Good Friday 1959, Wellington New Zealand
Father Elias G Economou
GOOD FRIDAY - I APOKATHILOSI
Usually in mid-afternoon in churches abroad, but in the late morning in Greece, Great Vespers is chanted. During this service, we hear the story of the Crucifixion, but with attention paid to the death of Christ, the work of Joseph of Arimathea to secure the body of Christ from Pilate, His removal from the cross, and His burial.
During the service, the Body of Christ is removed from the cross, wrapped in a white cloth (shroud) and brought into the sanctuary. Following the reading, the priest carries the icon of the Epitafio through the church and places it in the Sephulcher (the kouvouklion), which has been decorated with flowers.
Read More...
Good Friday: The Beauty and Majesty of The Epitaphio
Good Friday for all the Orthodox world is a solemn, mournful and moving day marking the Death of Christ.
The church services tell us the story of the Crucifixion, the death of Christ, and how Joseph of Arimathea secured the body of Christ from Pontius Pilate, His removal from the cross, and His burial.
Read More
HOLY THURSDAY-MEGALI PEMPTI-TA DODEKA EVAGGELIA
In
the morning, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is
celebrated. At this Divine Liturgy, the Church commemorates the
institution of the Holy Eucharist by the Lord at His Last Supper with
His disciples.
Read more...
Read more...
CELEBRATING EASTER IN GREECE AND THE GLOBAL GREEK WORLD
Decorating the Epitaphio
Evangelismos Tis Theotokou
Wellington New Zealand
Good Friday - 1991
Today is Holy Wednesday (Megali Tetarti) and Greek people all over the world are preparing for the Orthodox Easter and all it entails! (Most of us had a break for the Western Easter holiday and we are now getting ready for our second Easter in a week. This was always, and still is, a bonus for those of us who live(d) outside Greece - it also meant we could buy up Easter goodies - chocolate eggs, rabbits and Hot Cross Buns, at discounted prices).
Ιδού, ο Νυμφίος 'Ερχεται - Behold the Bridegroom Cometh -
Megali Deftera- Holy Monday
Yesterday was Palm Sunday, Κυριακή των Βαΐων, and the church celebrated the glorious and brilliant feast of the Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (John 12:1-18). Zechariah had prophesied the entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem, saying:
“Rejoice greatly ... O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King comes unto Thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”, Zech. 9:9.
The contemporary Jews associated this prophecy with the expected Messiah. This action of Christ testifies to His nature as Messiah, but with the definite declaration that His Kingdom was not of this world. The main road leading to Jerusalem was covered with palm trees.
The multitudes, with palm branches in their hands, spread their cloaks on the road as a show of respect, crying out
“Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”
A custom of distributing branches of palms to the people in the Church prevails to this day.
Read More...
Σάββατο Του Λαζάρου: Lazarus Saturday,
Time for Lazarakia
Lazarus, come forth
Lazarus Saturday is the Saturday before Palm Sunday and comes at the
end of the Great Lent. It is really a day of joy with the resurrection
of Lazarus, who rises from the tomb at the command of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We welcome feedback from our readers, but please keep your comments polite and respectful. Anonymous comments will be evaluated and published only if considered appropriate.