How, O Life, canst Thou die? Or abide in a grave?
For Thou dost destroy the kingdom of death, O Lord, and Thou raisest up the dead of Hades' realm.

At 2:14 pm Jerusalem Time on Holy Saturday 2024, the Holy Fire descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

It appeared in the edicule (the small chapel built over the burial place of Christ) about five minutes after the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, entered there, as is the custom, to patiently pray and wait.

https://www.youtube.com/live/q9TB71HVrfI?si=bvCNMxQGFaE3asXd

Christ is Risen! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Христосъ воскресе! Христос воскрес! Hristos a înviat! El Messieh kahm! Cristo ha resucitado! Kristo ay nabuhay!

Please respond with a Paschal greeting in your native language!

By Thine own Blood, O Savior, Thou hast ransomed mortal men, and by Thy death Thou hast delivered us from bitter death, granting us eternal life by Thy Resurrection. Give rest, then, O Lord, to all those who have fallen asleep in godliness, whether in wilderness or city, on the sea or land, in every place, both princes, priests and bishops, monks and married people, of every age and line, and count them worthy of Thy heavenly Kingdom.
(from a Vespers Hymn for the Saturday of Souls)

Miniature church at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Rossburn, Manitoba, Canada

Though locked away in a tower so that she wouldn't be exposed to Christianity, the Great Virgin Martyr and Equal to the Apostles, Irene (May 5) was led to the faith by her personal tutor. Her zeal and suffering converted thousands, including her own father, a governor who tried to have her killed for her faith in Christ. He would himself come to the faith by her prayers. Even after being beheaded, St Irene continued preaching Christ— having been raised up by an angel. A local king, seeing her alive and hearing her preach, was baptized with many of his subjects.

Resurrection Day! O peoples, let us brilliantly shine! * Pascha, the Lord's Pascha! * For Christ our God has out of death * passed us over into life, * and likewise from earth * to heaven, as we now sing * unto Him a triumphal hymn.

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν...

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour, The angels in heaven sing. Enable us on earth, To glorify Thee with purity of heart.

The Holy Light comes on Saturday at a quarter past one. The Holy Light does not represent the Resurrection for us on earth, but the descent into hell, that the prophecy of Isaiah had to be fulfilled: "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, light will shine upon you; those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, great light will come upon you."

On Saturday, the Saviour was in hell with his soul. With us, when he rose at midnight, he rose with all his body, Sunday, but with them he was only with his soul and took them out.

—Elder Cleopa of Sihastria Monastery

The Precious Cross appeared in the sky over Jerusalem on the morning of May 7, 351 during the reign of the emperor Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine.

The historian Sozomen says that this wondrous sign, which lasted for a whole week, led to the conversion of multitudes of pagans and Jews to Christianity. At a time when the turmoil brought on by the Arian heresy was still raging, the appearance of the cross strengthened the Orthodox faithful and contributed to the return of many Arians to the Church.

The appearance of the Precious Cross is also a reminder to us of the glorious Second Coming of Christ, when “the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven (Matthew 24:30).

Photo: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Phuket, Thailand

When the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian was more than one hundred years old, "he took seven of his disciples and went to a spot outside the city of Ephesus. There he told them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. Then he climbed into the grave and told his disciples to cover him with earth. Later, the grave was opened and the saint’s body was not there. Each year on May 8 (May 21) a red dust would arise from the grave which the faithful collected in order to be healed of their illnesses.

Although the main Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian is on Sept 26 (Oct 9), the Church commemorates the Apostle on this day to mark the annual pilgrimage to his grave.

oca.org/readings/daily/2020/05/08/2

“Behold, the Virgin shall conceive in her womb.”

The wonderworking Prophet-Evangelist-Martyr Isaiah (May 9/ May 22) foretold in remarkable detail the coming of the Messiah and His birth from a Virgin. St Isaiah described Christ as both God and Man, and One “wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions.”

St Isaiah also describes Christ as teacher of all the nations and founder of the Kingdom of God. He foresees Christ’s Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church.

Icon of Holy Prophet Isaiah with the Most Holy Theotokos, Sinai, 13th century

“When your children are still small, you have to help them understand what is good. That is the deepest meaning of life.”✝️ St Paisios

Antipascha: St Thomas Sunday (Second Sunday of Pascha)

Then [Christ] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” + John 20:27-28

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas did not want to be found guilty of careless belief. He did not want to believe an apparition, and our Lord understood this. When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.

Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. The correct inscription is “The Touching of Thomas” or “The Belief of Thomas.”

By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Icon from the altar of the Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Chesmenskaya), St Petersburg, Russia

A Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day

Translation: "Every breath praises the Lord."

When owing to sickness, proceeding from various causes, you feel unwell and indisposed, and when in this condition your prayer is cold, heavy, filled with despondency and even despair, do not be disheartened or despairing, for the Lord knows your sick and painful condition. Struggle against your infirmity, pray as much as you have strength to, and the Lord will not despise the infirmity of your flesh and spirit.

☦️ St John of Kronstadt

Pascha at the border