Great and Holy Pascha

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Explanation of the Service

by Rev. Demetrios George Kalaris

At this time the Vesper Service of Love is celebrated.

The vespers consist only of paschal hymns. The entrance is done, with the Gospel and the chanting of the ancient apostolic hymn “Gladsome Light.” The Gospel lesson is from St. John and tells of the Resurrection, Jesus’ appearance before His disciples, the greeting of peace, the institution of the Sacrament of Penance and Confession and of Thomas’ disbelief. As a manifestation that Christ’s teaching has spread to the ends of the earth, the Gospel is read in several languages.

The week beginning with Easter Sunday is considered a glorious holiday and is called by the church “Diakainesimos” meaning, “A Renewal of Life.” It is commonly called the “Week of Radiance.”

Hymns for this service

TROPARION OF PASCHA

Christ is Risen
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Sheet Music
Western Notation
English (PDF) »
Greek (PDF) »

Byzantine Notation
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Greek (PDF) »

Gospel Reading

John 20:19-25

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.