Cristos Anesti - Christ Is Risen

It is late Saturday night (or is it early Sunday?) and we again are brought to the tomb of Jesus. There is much commotion in the church as it is crowded. Eventually we are quieted down into stillness of a grave. The lights have gone out. Then from behind the altar, there is a flicker of light. Then begins a hymn that always brings us to the center. “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” As the hymn is sung, the fire spreads to everyone’s candle, followed by an immediate procession out of the building. This is symbolizing going out of the tomb, walking. Everyone gathers outside for a large proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus. Then an ancient sermon is announced… (you can read it’s entirety here).

“Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free.”

This procession was taking place after midnight. I began to think of the surrounding area. Many people are asleep. Or, since it’s late Saturday /early, some are out at a nearby strip club, racing on the freeway, among other things. Yet, in the middle of everything, the work of God is moving forward, offering life to all.

Following the procession, we are lead back inside to begin the liturgy with Eucharist, with a sense of continued life. Seeing many faces I had seen along the journey beginning in Lent, it was a moment of satisfaction in the Lord. Sometimes what we do can feel empty, but the Lord is faithful to His people.