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ResurrectionFeast of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha - Fesakh - Hajmeh - Celebration First Day

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Feast Cycle Cycle
Back-
wards
Celebra-
tion
Pente-
costarion
Vespers Matins
Divine
Liturgy
Divine
Liturgy
morn-
ing
Divine
Liturgy
Chang
-able
Prayer
Homily Greet How Date
Determined
2020
2025
Vespers
Bright
Monday

 

Pascha
Cycle
Triodion Prophon-
isimon
Sundays
Great
Lent
Palm
Sun.
Sha-
neen-
eh
Great
and
Holy
Week
Great
and
Holy
Mon
Great
and
Holy
Tues
Great
and
Holy
Wed
Great
and
Holy
Thurs
Great
and
Holy
Fri
Great
and
Holy
Sat
Holy
and
Glor-
ious
Pascha

 

Pascha
Cycle
Holy
and
Glor-
ious
Pascha
Vespers
of
Bright
Monday
Bright
Mon.
Bright
Week
Pascha
Sundays

 

Jesus
Christ
Death
Jesus
Christ
Resur-
rec-
tion
Holy
Mystery
Baptism
Great
and
Holy
Friday
Holy
and
Glor-
ious
Pascha
Great
Feast
Exalta-
tion
of
Precious
and
Life-
giving
Holy
Cross
Vener-
ation
of
Holy
Cross
3rd
Sun.
Great
Lent
Feast
Proces-
sion
of
Holy
Cross
Trisagion
Hymn
is
Hymn
of
Cross

 

Memorial
Service
Jennaz
Dead
Evlogitaria
Memorial
Jennaz
Liturgical Text
Dead
Evlogitaria
Memorial
Jennaz
Liturgy John Chrysostom
Appendix 1, pages 94-98
The Eparchy of Newton
Liturgical Text
Dead
Evlogitaria
Statutes
Memorial
Jennaz
Euchologion
pages 89-91
The Eparchy of Newton
Resurrection
Evlogitaria
Statutes
Memorial
Jennaz
Liturgical Text
Resurrection
Evlogitaria
Memorial
Jennaz
Liturgical Text
Resurrection
Evlogitaria
Statutes
Memorial
Jennaz
Euchologion
pages 91 - 92
The Eparchy of Newton
Resurrection
Antiphon
Memorial
Evlogitaria
Jennaz
All
Souls
Sat.
1st
All Souls
Sat.
2d
All Souls
Sat.
Kolyva / Kollyva
Ameh
Memorial
Jennaz

 

Great Feast
Holy Theophany
Our Lord,
God and Savior,
Jesus Christ
Holy
and
Glorious
Pascha
Holy Mystery
of Baptism
Prayer
Water
Great
Blessing
Explanation
Water
Great
Blessing
Prayer
Blessing
Water

 

 

Feasts Feasts of
Feasts
Great Feasts
Class 1
Great Feasts
Class 2
Great Feasts
Synaxis Days
Saints
Great Feast

 

 

Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
FeastEvent
Commem-
orated
Action
of Event
Significance
of Event
CelebrateApostolosGospelDateClass
Holy and
Glorious
Pascha
Jesus Christ's
resurrection
in
human form
Jesus Christ
rising
from dead
and giving
"eternal life"
to good.
ºJesus Christ
is Holy God.

ºOpening
possibility
of
"eternal
life"
ºJesus Christ's
victory
over death.

ºWe have
possibility
of
"eternal
life".
Acts
1:1-9
John
1:1-17
1st Sun.
after
1st
full
moon
after
03/20
Earliest
is
03/22
latest
is
04/25.
Feasts
of
Feasts

 

Sundays of Pascha or Pascha Cycle
Sunday
of
Pascha
Sunday
after
Pascha
Day of
Pascha
NameApostolosGospelTone
1 1PaschaActs
1:1-9
Jn.
1:1-17
0

All services in Great Week and on Pascha are moved ahead 12 hours.

The reason is probably to make the services more convenient for the people to attend.

Great and Holy Week or Pascha Cycle
Liturgical
Service
of what
Liturgical
Day
Held on
what
Calendar
Day
Time
held
Vespers
Lighting of New Fire
Blessing New Light
First Proclamation of the Resurrection
Procession of New Light
Procession of Triumph
of Holy
and
Glorious
Pascha
on Great
and Holy
Saturday
morning
Matins
Taking of New Light
Procession with New Light
Hajmeh
Paschal Orthros
Divine Liturgy
Blessing Holy Artos
of Holy
and
Glorious
Pascha
on Great
and Holy
Saturday
evening
/
night
  on Holy
and Glorious
Pascha
morning
Vespers
Agape
of
Bright
Monday
on Holy
and Glorious
Pascha
afternoon

Holy and Glorious Pascha is the Feast of Feasts, the most important and glorious holy day of the Christian year. The Feast of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha commemorates in a special way the Resurrection from the dead of the human form of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. By His resurrection, Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ opened the possibility of "eternal life" to us.
On this glorious and holy day, the whole Church celebrates with joy the final triumph of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ: His life-giving Resurrection.
By His death He has trampled upon death and given life to the world. By breaking down the gates of Hades, He has opened Heaven to all.

The Resurrection According to the Flesh of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ was on the third day, Sunday. The day count begins on the day of the Crucifixion, Friday.

Name of DayDay countSabbathDay of Week
FridayOneSabbath begins at sunsetSixth day
SaturdayTwoSabbath ends just before sunsetSeventh day
SundayThree First day

The word "Pascha"

The word Pascha ("Fesakh" in Arabic) refers to the Hebrew Passover (Pesach) - the greatest feast of the Old Testament. That feast commemorates the deliverance of the people of Israel the night before their departure from Egypt. God commanded them to offer the sacrifice of a spotless lamb and to sprinkle its blood upon their gateposts that the Angel of Death would pass over their houses.

The Christians, seeing the true fulfillment of the Old Law in the New Testament, realized that this ancient feast was but a foreshadowing of the destruction of death by Christ in His burial and Resurrection. The beautiful hymns of Resurrection Matins (sung on Saturday after the procession) frequently refer to Christ as the spotless Lamb, the true Savior, the Victor over sin and death, the Deliverer from bondage, and as the Author of the New creation.

In the Western Church in English, this Feast is called Easter. The word "Easter" comes from Old English and refers to the Norse Goddess of Fertility, "Istra" - who was symbolized by a rabbit.
In Italian, this Feast is called Pasqua, in French, Pbques, and in Spanish, Pascha.

Vespers is the Lighting of the New Fire, Blessing the New Light, First Proclamation of the Resurrection, Procession of the New Light, and Procession of Triumph, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Saturday morning.

Lighting of the New Fire, Blessing the New Light, First Proclamation of Resurrection, Procession of the New Light, and Procession of Triumph,
Pascha Vespers

Matins is the Taking of the New Light, Procession with the New Light, Hajmeh, Paschal Orthros, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Holy Artos of Pascha, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Saturday evening / night

Taking of the New Light, Procession with the New Light, Hajmeh, Paschal Orthros, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Holy Artos of Pascha of Pascha
Pascha Matins and Divine Liturgy

Vespers (Agape) of Bright Monday, which is celebrated on Holy and Glorious Pascha about noon

These Vespers are called Agape Vespers because the Gospel tells when Jesus said peace be with you and this Gospel is read in as many languages as circumstances permit. The practice of reading the Gospel in as many languages as circumstances permit is called Baouth.

Liturgical Cycle

From Holy and Glorious Pascha to Great Feast of Pentecost, Sunday is the first day of the Liturical week. In the remainder of the year, Sunday is the last day of the Liturgical week.

Pascal Greeting, Pascal Troparion, Feasting, the Doors and Curtains of the Ikonostasis are Open, Paschal Candle from the Feast of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha until the beginning of the Vespers of the Great Feast of the Ascension into Heaven of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.

For the Forty Days from the Feast of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha (Feasts of Feasts) to the Great Feast of the Ascension, we celebrate the Holy and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ from the dead. By His death He has trampled upon death and given life to the world. By breaking down the gates of Hades, He has opened Heaven to all.

We greet each other by saying "Christ is risen! He is truly risen!" or "Al Masiah Qaam! Haqqan Qaam! / Al Massihu Qam! Haqqan Qam!" or "Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!".

Also, we say "Glory to His Resurrection on the Third Day! We glorify His Resurrection on the Third Day!".

Finally, we sing the Troparion of Pascha repeatedly in the Divine Liturgy ("Christ is risen from the dead and by His death He has trampled upon death, and has given life to those who are in the tombs!"),

We feast for Forty Days! We do not fast, not even on Fridays. Fasting is forbidden.

The doors and curtains of the ikonostasis remain open. This action is to symbolize how Christ's Resurrection has opened Heaven.

The Paschal Candle, the first one lit by the New Light of Pascha, burns brightly on the Holy Table.

Standing from the Feast of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha until the Great Feast of Pentecost

We stand! We do not kneel. Kneeling is forbidden until the beginning of the Vespers of the Great Feast of Pentecost.

These prayers ask the Lord Jesus Christ to send the Holy Spirit also upon us, to empower us to do His will in all aspects of our lives. They are called the "Kneeling Prayers" because they mark the first time we kneel after the 50-day celebration of the Resurrection.

His Beatitude, Gregorios III, Patriarch / Batriyark of the cities of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem, of Cilicia, Syria, Iberia, Arabia Mesopotamia, Pentapolis, Ethiopia, of all of Egypt and the entire East, Father of Fathers, Pastor of Pastors, Bishop of Bishops, the Thirteenth of The Holy Apostles (Patriarcat Grec Melkite Catholique) 's Pascha Letter via the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

2010
2009
2008

Eparch Cyril Salim Bustros 's Pascha Letter, Melkite Greek Catholic, Church Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

2007

Eparch John Elya's Pascha Letter, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

2004
2003
2002
2000
1999

Traditions

Traditions of Great Lent and Holy Week ( Includes Pascha) Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

Papers

Blessed Night by Fr. Jean Rene Bouchet, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States
Two Resurrections?? By Father Fred Saato, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

More Information

The Glorious Resurrection Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Mobile Feasts of Our Lord

Ikon

The Glorious Resurrection Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Mobile Feasts of Our Lord

Images

Images of Pascha: Glorious and Holy Easter Sunday Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)
Images of the Pascha Liturgy Continued Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)
Images of Holy Week Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)

Liturgical Service on Web

Greek Catholic, Melkite Al-Bushra

Divine Liturgy and Services St. Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church Lawrence, Massachusetts

Hymns on Web

Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Nouveau St Jean Chrysostome Brussels, Belgium

 

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
FeastEvent
Commem-
orated
Action
of Event
Significance
of Event
CelebrateApostolosGospelDateClass
Annun-
ciation
of
Theotokos
Ever
Virgin Mary
Jesus
Christ's

conception
in
human
form
Incar-
nation.
Future
Theotokos'
accepting
Holy God's will
saying yes
to Holy God.
Holy God
becomes
human
Incar-
nation.
Beginning
of process
of our
redemption.
Heb.
2:11-18
Lk.
1:24-38
25
March
Great
Feast
Class
2
Nativity
According
to Flesh
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

birth
in
human
form.
Jesus
Christ
being born
in human
form.
Messiah
is born.
Jesus
Christ's
birthday.
Gal.
4:4-7
Mt.
2:1-12
25
Dec.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Circum-
cision
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

Naming
and
Circum-
cision.
Jesus
Christ
submitted
to
Mosaic
Law.
Jesus
Christ
is
named
Jesus
Christ's
Naming
and
Circum-
cision.
Col.
2:8-12
Lk.
2:20-21,
40-52
1
Jan.
Feast
Class
3
ºHoly
Hypapanty
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ

ºPurifi-
cation
of
Theotokos
ºJesus
Christ's

presen-
tation
at Temple.


ºTheotokos'
purification.
Theotokos
bringing
Jesus
Christ
to Temple
at prescribed
time
for prescribed
rituals.
Messiah's
first
meeting
with
His
people.
A step
in process
of our
redemption.
Heb.
7:7-17
Lk.
2:22-40
2
Feb.
Great
Feast
Class
2
Holy
Theophany
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

baptism
Holy
Prophet
and
Glorious
Fore-
runner
John Baptist

baptizing
Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
in
River
Jordan.
ºAs an
adult,
Jesus
Christ
shows
His
people
that He
is Holy God
(manifestation
Jesus
Christ
to the world).

ºHoly God
shows
His
people
that Holy God
is a
Holy Trinity.
ºJesus
Christ
is Holy God.

ºHoly God
is a
Holy
Trinity
Tim.
2:11-14,
3:4-7
Mt.
3:13-17
6
Jan.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Transfig-
uration
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

transfig-
uration
Jesus
Christ
showing
His
disciples
"...as
much of
His glory
as they
could
behold...".
Jesus
Christ
is both
fully
Holy God
and
fully man.
ºReve-
lation
of glory
of
Holy God

ºConfir-
mation
of two
natures
of
Jesus
Christ
both
fully
Holy God
and
fully
human.
2
Pet.
1:10-19
Mt.
17:1-9
6
Aug.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Triumphal
Entry
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ into
Jerusalem
Holy and
Glorious
Palm Sun.
Shaneeneh
Jesus
Christ's

triumphal
entrance
into
Jerusalem.
Children
throwing
garments
into
Jesus
Christ's
path,
pulling down
branches
from olive
and palm
trees,
putting them
in the
road,
and
waving them
in air,
shouting
"Hosanna!
Blessed is
He
who
comes
in the
name
of the Lord!"
Jesus
Christ's
people
hailing Him
as Messiah.
Jesus
Christ
is
Messiah.
Phil.
4:4-9
John
12:1-18
7
days
before
Pascha
Great
Feast
Class
1
Great and
Holy Friday
Jesus
Christ's

death
in
human form
on
Holy Cross
Jesus
Christ
dies on
Holy Cross
Holy God
redeems
our souls.
We have
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life".
1
Cor.
1:18-24
John
5:48-55
2
days
before
Pascha
Great
Holy
Fri.
Holy and
Glorious
Pascha
Jesus
Christ's

resurrection
in
human form
Jesus
Christ
rising
from dead
and giving
"eternal
life"
to good.
ºJesus
Christ
is Holy God.

ºOpening
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life"
ºJesus
Christ's
victory
over
death.

ºWe have
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life".
Acts
1:1-9
John
1:1-17
1st
Sun.
after
1st
full
moon
after
03/20
Ear-
liest
is
03/22
latest
is
04/25.
Feasts
of
Feasts
Ascension
into Heaven
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

ascension
in
human form
into heaven.
Jesus
Christ
going
to heaven.
Jesus
Christ
is Holy God.
Jesus
Christ's
victory
over
death.
Acts
1:1-12
Lk.
24:36-53
40th
day
of
Pascha
Great
Feast
Class
1
Exaltation
of Precious
and
Lifegiving
Holy Cross
Jesus
Christ's

Holy Cross
is found.
ºSt Helena
finding
Holy Cross

ºRecovering
Holy Cross
from
Persians,
returning
It to
Jerusalem,
and
raising
It up
(exalting).
Holy Cross
is a sign
of glory
and victory.
Jesus
Christ's
victory
over death.
1
Cor.
1:18-24
John
19:6-11,
13-20,
25-28a,
30-35a
14
Sept.
Great
Feast
Class
1

Liturgical Cycle

Liturgical Cycle

Great Feast Days

Great Feast Days

Feasts Days - Specific

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Theotokos
The Holy Prophet and Glorious Forerunner John the Baptist


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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Wednesday, June 03, 2020, 19:25:40, CDT
The current date and time is: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 03:55:56, CST or Thursday, November 21, 2024, 09:55:56, GMT