Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Feasts of Feasts Holy and Glorious Pascha - Fesakh - Hajmeh

Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
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	Name	Apostolos	Gospel	Tone
1		1	Pascha	Acts 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 Day	Day count	Sabbath	Day of Week
Friday	One	Sabbath begins at sunset	Sixth day
Saturday	Two	Sabbath ends just before sunset	Seventh day
Sunday	Three		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 Vespers 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.

Patriarch'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
Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
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

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

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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