‘Orthodox Easter’
Good morning,
We are in the midst of the Orthodox Easter. Usually Orthodox communities around the world would gather this evening in churches to observe the Paschal Vigil, followed by Easter liturgy into the morning, known as Pascha. Many candles would be lit, readings heard, prayers said, hymns sung, and communion would be shared. In St Andrews, this usually takes place in St Salvator’s Chapel. It is a matter of deep regret that this cannot take place this year in St Andrews, or in most places which observe Orthodox rites. Nevertheless, Orthodox Christians will be breaking their Lenten fast tomorrow, saying “Christ is risen!” to each other, and celebrating in families with eggs, often dyed red to represent the blood of Jesus.
In many Orthodox churches, there is an icon of the resurrection. This depicts Jesus descending into Hades, treading on the gates of hell, thrown down in a cross-shape, and his lifting Adam, Eve, other Old Testament figures and John the Baptist from their graves, the righteous from before the time of Christ. There may be a figure of Death, chained up. In Orthodox understanding, this icon highlights not the moment of resurrection, but the essence of the Christian faith in Jesus’ life, death and rising from the grave – that Jesus shared our humanity, and so as death could not hold him, it will not hold his fellow human beings.
I have been fortunate to visit places with Orthodox or other churches with similar icons. Here are a few of my own pictures of icons and frescoes (not particularly well lit, but never mind) which convey what Christians believe and hope for – perhaps more than ever at this time.
Akhtala Monastery, Armenia
From an illuminated manuscript in the Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, in Yerevan, Armenia
From Ura Kidane Mehret Church, Lake Tana, near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Our own University service tomorrow at 11 am will recognise the second Sunday of Easter (in the western calendar), sometimes called Low Sunday. The service will include a sermon from the honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain, Revd Prof Ian Bradley, called Blessed are the doubters. St Salvator’s Chapel Choir will feature in recorded form, and we will have the opportunity to sing a hymn written by a former University Principal. I plan to share the order of service on your screen. Here is the link to the service – all are welcome:
Donald MacEwan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: University Worship for Sunday 19 April
Time: Apr 19, 2020 11:00 AM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98947215020?pwd=ZUJKdDkxR0tQYmtLUHlkdkdUZVJRdz09
Meeting ID: 989 4721 5020
Password: 4sm4G7
Yours,
Donald.