Happy Easter!

Having completed the vigil at the tomb, we go out, bearers of the cross, those carrying banners, icons, the Gospel, the choir, the Priest and the faithful carrying  candles ablaze.  Circling the church (3 times typically – unless the weather is really bad), we sing that Christ is risen from the dead.  Coming to the front of the church, a small service is completed by the priest, wherein he calls out, Christ is Risen, and the faithful respond, Indeed He is risen.

Father Jonah using his sensor outside the church.
Father Jonah using his sensor outside the church.

Vince Tutiakoff holds the Gospel, while Boris Galaktionoff has the icon depicting the Ascension of Christ.

It was snowing and quite chilly.
It was snowing and quite chilly.

Luckily enough, with the joyful celebration, came a very spring-like afternoon.  Just in time for the egg hunt.  As we got out of church the evening before – or should I say morning – at around 3:15 AM, we set the time of the egg hunt for 2 PM. 

Caleb finishes hiding eggs in the churchyard.
Caleb finishes hiding eggs in the churchyard.

Chomping at the bit, the kids only had to wait a few minutes.  And then they went crazy, running all over looking for enough eggs to win them a prize.

SP on the look-out.
SP on the look-out.
Sweet success!
Sweet success!

And look!  Who can that be with a cute, new haircut??  Might it be Alena!

Alena! with her new do.
Alena! with her new do.

 I will probably be falling asleep early.  For some reason, my husband thought that I needed to get up at 8:30 AM, so he thoughtfully brought me a cup of coffee and woke me up.  At my age, 41/2 hours of sleep just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Saturday morning and afternoon – before Midnight service.

Flowers surrounding the shroud of Christ.
Flowers surrounding the shroud of Christ.

The Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ, the oldest and largest Russian Orthodox cruciform-style church on the North American continent, is beautiful on any given day.  It is particularly so during the solemn services leading up to the resurrection of Christ.  As the judgement and crucifiction of Christ unfold each year, the coverings on the icon stands are changed to black or dark purple.  This morning, as we prepared for the resurrection, the dark covers were removed to reveal white.   Tonight, at 11:30, the shroud will be taken and placed on the alter behind the iconostas.  It is a particularly beautiful service, although a bit lengthy as it includes both a Matins and a Divine Liturgy.  All are welcome to attend.

Getting ready for the egg hunt.
Getting ready for the egg hunt.

The children, of course, are getting excited because they not only get to stay up late, circle the church three times at nearly midnight, trying to keep their candles lit, but then they get to participate in  an egg hunt after service on Easter Sunday afternoon.