Pascha

Χριστος ανεστι εκ νεκρων, θανατω θανατον πατησας, και τοις εν τοις μνηηασι ζωην χαρισαμενος.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tombs.

If there are devout and God-loving people here,
let them enjoy this beautiful, radiant festival.
If there are prudent servants,
enter joyously into the Lord’s joy.
Whoever may be spent from fasting,
enjoy now your reward.
Whoever has toiled from the first hour,
receive today your just settlement.
If any came after the third hour,
celebrate gratefully.
If any of you arrived after the sixth,
have no misgivings, you have lost nothing.
If some have been as late as the ninth,
come forward, do not be at a loss.
If any of you have arrived only at the eleventh hour,
do not be dismayed for being late.

The Master is gracious;
He accepts the last even as the first;
He gives rest to those of the eleventh as well as to
those who have labored from the first;
He is lenient with the last while looking after the first;
to the one He gives, to the other He gives freely;
He accepts the labors and welcomes the effort;
honors the deed, but commends the intent.
So, all of you, enter into the joy of our Lord:
first and second, share the bounty.
Rich and poor alike, celebrate together.
Sober or heedless, honor the day.
Those who fasted, and those who did not, rejoice today.
The table is full, let everyone fare sumptuously.
The calf is fatted, let no one go away hungry.
Everyone, savor the banquet of faith;
relish the riches of His goodness.

No one need lament poverty,
for the kingdom is seen as universal.
No one need grieve over sins;
forgiveness has dawned from the tomb.
No one need fear death;
the Savior's death has freed us from it.
While He was its captive He stifled it.
He despoiled Hell as He descended into it;
it was angered when it tasted His flesh.
Foreseeing this, Isaiah proclaimed: "Hell," he
said, "was angered when he met You below."
It was angered because it was abolished
It was angered because it was mocked
It was angered because it was slain.
It was angered because it was shackled.
It received a body and encountered God.
It took earth and came face-to-face with heaven.
It took what it saw and fell by what it could not see.
Death, where is your sting?
Hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen and demons have fallen.
Christ is risen and angels rejoice.
Christ is risen and life rules.
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb.
For Christ, having risen from the dead,
has become the firstfruits of those that slept.
To Him be the glory and the dominion, forever. Amen.

Retablo: Christ Resurrected - Arturo Olivas

Alleluia! Christ our Paschal Lamb is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

When Saint Paul writes, "Christ our Paschal Lamb has been sacrificed for us," he links the two great biblical accounts of redemption as one. The blood of the lamb which shielded the first-born of Israel in Egypt from death prefigures the blood of the Lamb who conquers death once for all. Lamb was the main dish of the ancient Jewish Passover Seder and has been the meat of choice for Easter dinner in many Christian cultures. In keeping with the pattern established in a Full Homely Lent, we offer one more Sunday food

This recipe for lamb kleftiko is Greek. Roasting the lamb wrapped in paper or foil keeps all of the juices in the lamb and makes a wonderfully juicy and tender roast. With the garlic cloves inserted into the meat and the other herbs and spices, there is no need for any sauce other than the roasting juices.
1 boneless leg of lamb 5 tbs. olive oil juice of 1 lemon several cloves of garlic, cut into slivers 2 tbsp. chopped parsley oregano cumin rosemary salt and pepper
The butcher will roll and tie the lamb after boning it. Untie and unroll the leg and wash and dry it. Make small slits all over the lamb and insert the slivers of garlic. Salt and pepper the leg and sprinkle generously with the herbs and spices. Mix the oil and lemon juice together and drizzle over the leg. Roll and tie the lamb and wrap it tightly in parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place in a shallow pan and bake for 2-3 hours, depending on how well done you like your meat.

The presentation of the Easter lamb should be marked with special festivity--a hymn, if possible, and certainly a special blessing.

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his piercèd side;
Praise we Him, Whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast,
Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, Whose blood was shed,
Paschal Victim, paschal Bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we Manna from above.

Click here for full text and music

The Blessing of Lamb
from The Book of Occasional Services

Stir up our memory, O Lord, as we eat this Easter lamb that, remembering Israel of old, who in obedience to your command ate the Paschal lamb and was delivered from the bondage of slavery, we, your new Israel, may rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb who has delivered us from the bondage of sin and death, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.