Pascha

[Bogdan]

I can't believe nobody asked this one yet!

I know it just passed, but during the service we wanted to add some english to all the church slavonic we were throwing at the laypeople. There's not even a good Serbian translation to a lot of this stuff. Anyone know where I can start looking for this? We have a book in church slavonic for the entire holy week. I would really like to be able to get something like this, or as much of holy week in english as possible. Also, anything on the St. Basil Liturgical parts as well...

Thanks in Advance..Hristos Vosrese,
~Bogdan

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

The standard text in English for Holy Week plus the Sundays and other major days of Great Lent is The Lenten Triodion translated by Mother Mary and Kallistos Ware. This used to be published by Faber but is now published by St Tikhon's Seminary Press in Pennsylvania.

Although some of the different Orthodox jurisdictions put out booklets in English for some of the major services for Holy Week the above is still the 'must-have' for any respectable liturgical library.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Bogdan]

Thank you father! I will definately add that to my LONG list of books to buy with my first paycheck..

Hristos Voskrese,
~Bogdan

[Olga]

Hello Bogdan

I have a large collection of liturgical texts in Word format in English (as well as in Greek and Slavonic), including for Holy Week and Easter. You're welcome to email me privately, I'll be glad to help.

[Eugenia]

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

Can anyone explain the reason for having the Resurrection Matins and Paschal Liturgy at midnight? Would it be appropriate to have the entire Matins and Liturgy at Sunrise? It seems like many of our older parishioners are unable to attend, also small children and the infirm due to the long services and the late hour. I do not wish to complain but do notice that every year we have fewer people and the sense of community is lessened. Thanking you for your kind responses- I look forward to learning. God bless, Eugenia

[Tim Grass]

Lots of parishes have Paschal Liturgies also later on Sunday morning..... at 10.00 or 10.30.... if it's possible (if there's another priest, etc.).

--tim

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

Can anyone explain the reason for having the Resurrection Matins and Paschal Liturgy at midnight? Would it be appropriate to have the entire Matins and Liturgy at Sunrise? It seems like many of our older parishioners are unable to attend, also small children and the infirm due to the long services and the late hour. I do not wish to complain but do notice that every year we have fewer people and the sense of community is lessened. Thanking you for your kind responses- I look forward to learning. God bless, Eugenia

This comes from the ancient tradition of having an All-Night Vigil on the Eve of any Great Feast and on Sundays. On Mt Athos and in many places in Greece this is still done.

Beginning the Pachal service at Midnight however is a relatively recent practice. Previous to this the Vigil would begin at any suitable time during the night as long as it was after midnight. (remember though that midnight according to Byzantine computation literally meant the middle of the night- so this could mean beginning the service later than we normally do. But not at 10am the next day!).

In any case some jurisdictions are more accustomed to a morning Paschal Matins & Liturgy- or evening Matins & morning Liturgy. I personally believe we should do everything possible to keep to the night time experience as it is so powerful. In most parishes (such as ours) the parents bring along their children if possible- they can take a nap if needed in a corner. But the child will never forget such an incredible experience. In our parish at least thanks be to God more young people with their children have begun attending our Vigil not less.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Eugenia]

Thank you, Fr.

I have always gone to the Midnight services. I find them most beautiful. I have had some individuals asking why we do it this way and did not have the right words. The former Parish I belonged to-when I first came to our town- used to have them at sunrise. Most people did not stay after the Resurrection Matins and went home to cook dinner. It was a different time.

I will pass the information on to the inquirer. Thank you so much for your timely response. God bless, Eugenia