Reflections of an Orthodox Christian

Another Pascha (Easter) is upon us. Pascha, the Resurrection of Our Lord and God Jesus Christ, is the greatest celebration of the Christian year. I wanted to share with you two experiences I had this past week – experiences characteristic of the Lenten struggle.

As with any celebration, Pascha requires preparation – after all, no one goes to a party without some kind of preparation. Yet, year after year, I am surprised to recognize myself in these words sung in the Matins of the Bridegroom (Holy Wednesday evening): “Your bridal chamber, I see adorned, O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment that I may enter.” The realization that this verse speaks of me was brought home by the fact that I arrived in church one full hour after the service I was supposed to be reading for started. Talk about being in tune! We tend to think that we are adequate – that we are doing just fine, that we need no healing, no betterment, no repentance. It is moments like that one on Wednesday that really should serve as a wake-up call.

I had had another moment like that last Sunday – Palm Sunday. Together with my wife, my brother and some friends, I half-heartedly agreed that we go to an Antiochian Orthodox parish. That particular parish, where we have many friends, is renowned for its chaotic Palm Sundays: one must come early in order to secure a spot or risk being relegated to the basement, only to watch the service on TV screens! Also, it’s very noisy – Orthodox churches are known for the brouhaha that accompanies services, as people are encouraged to feel at home in church, not in a museum. But at that particular parish, Palm Sunday busy-ness is like being transported to the streets of an old city in the Middle East. I often compare it to being in the merchants’ quarter, or souq.

So there we were, in that souq service (granted, it really wasn’t as bad as previous years), me holding on to any fault I could find. It got pretty bad, I started to want to just walk out of the church. It was then that I had my realization: God’s murmur in my heart (for God never yells) demanded my attention. As I was agonizing over the constant re-tuning of the choir before each and every response – wishing I was back at my home parish, that soft voice told me: ‘Stop focusing on details. You’re here to be with Me. Just be with Me.’

I was filled with joy at this realization, and I spent the rest of the service just conversing with the Lord in my heart. Alas, as is often the case, such states of grace are gone far too quickly. But thankfully, this weekend I will experience that joy yet again, as we are all invited to the great banquet of the Lord - even those (especially those) of us who have 'no wedding garment' that we may enter.

For all are invited, as is stressed in the sermon by St. John Chrysostom read aloud in all Orthodox churches around the world:

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, "Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions." It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

"O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?"

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen."

Christ is risen! Le Christ est ressuscité! Cristo ressuscitou! Христос Воскресе! Χριστός Ανέστη! !المسيح قام Kristo Amefufukka! 基督復活了! ハリストス復活！