Paschal Joy: A Poem

Entering into the joy of the Resurrection of Christ

Celebrating the Feast of Feasts

Photo Credit: Annora Gillis

We are nearing the end of Lent and drawing ever closer to celebrating the joyous feast of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead! In the Orthodox Church, this feast is called Pascha (which means Passover) and occurs on April 16th this year, one week after many Christians celebrate Easter.

The Paschal service, which begins just before midnight on Sunday, is full of rich participation in the reality of Christ's Resurrection. In Paschal Joy, I remember and reflect on the brightest moments of the service and the truths we participate in as we worship the risen Christ, who conquered death to raise us up with Himself.

“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.”

Romans 6:5

Whatever the night beyond the walls of the Church may hold, we have great hope for the light inside is bright and warm with the love of fellowship and the jubilant calls of "Christ is Risen!" and "Indeed He is Risen!"

Paschal Joy

Nigh draws the end of former days
At midnight hour a candle raised
Beckons all to come receive
Light which makes darkness flee 
Still night air surrounds as tomb
Till the Eighth Day thus begins anew
Bells ring, peal and shout with joy
A trifold knock hades' gate destroys
From Temple eternal light now shines
Leaving none asleep or in grave confined
All stand and rush into salvation's Ark
Where in hymns of angels, saints take part
Then offered is He who conquering rose
Thus embittering death, humanity's foe
Calling all to come and dine with the thief
To commune and taste of heaven's feast 
Given immortal life from death unchained
Christ is Risen! The whole universe exclaims 

Thank you for reading.

I pray you have a blessed celebration of Christ’s Resurrection! I look forward to greeting you next time with those joyous words, which bear the cause of all our hope, Christ is Risen!

With gratitude,

Drew Chancey

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Further Reading and Listening

Interested in more on this topic? Here are some additional resources you might enjoy:

"Christ Is Risen" Composed by Vladimir Morosan - YouTube

Christ is Risen - Georgian Chant

Easter Sunday: The Holy Pascha

The Last Pascha - A Reverie - Glory to God for All Things (ancientfaith.com)