From Thursday 5th April 2018, the Exarchate celebrated Pascha (Orthodox Easter).
Pascha consists of three liturgical services, held on Thursday night, Friday night and late on Saturday night. These culminate in a celebratory feast early on Sunday morning.
Holy Thursday
5th April 2018 - 7pm
Divine Liturgy
On Holy Thursday we celebrated the day of the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. The evening started with the Divine Liturgy during which Archbishop Raffaele washed the feet of the clergy.
This was followed by the blessing of Holy Chrism Oil which will be used through out the year to perform Chrismations and consecrations of churches and alters.
Morning Prayers of the Church for Great Friday followed, commemorating Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Photo Gallery
Great Friday
6th April 2018 - 7pm
All Night Vigil
On Great and Holy Friday, the clergy and faithful gathered together in respect for the Lord and his burial, to celebrate the All Night Vigil. The evening started with Great Vespers, which is the evening prayer of the church. During the Great Vespers, the clergy bring the Epitaphios, in procession
from the alter, and place it on a table in the centre of the church so the faithful may venerate it. The procession walked around the outside of the church and the faithful walked under the Epitaphios as they re-entered the building.
After the procession, Orthros (the morning prayers of the church) began. The Epitaphic Lamentation was sung by the clergy. These lamentations are dispersed throughout the verses of Psalm 118.
Photo Gallery
Great Saturday
7th April 2018 - 11pm
Pascha
On Holy and Great Saturday, the night began with the clergy reading from the Book of the Acts of The Apostles. The service of the Midnight Office began at around 11pm, during which the clergy prayed the prayers normally celebrated at the midnight hour.
Between the Midnight Office and Orthros, the clergy vested in white to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus. After sitting in darkness for half an hour, Archbishop Raffaele proclaimed "Christ is Risen!" and the Pascal Trikirion (three pronged candle) was lit to symbolise Christ's resurrection.
The people processed outside and all lit their candle from the Pascal Trikirion. The gospel of the resurrection was proclaimed and Archbishop Raffaele sang the great hymn "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death". The people then processed inside to a fully lit church to commence the morning prayer of the church.
Following this, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the clergy on behalf of the people. Archbishop Raffaele preached the Homily and after Holy Communion the clergy and people celebrated Christ's resurrection together in the church hall.
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