When I first came to St. Nicholas , I was intrigued by the thought of serving Pascha at sunrise. I had only ever known serving this beautiful service at midnight, but who was I to change a Galatian tradition that stretched over a hundred years.
Yet after serving Pascha at sunrise for these last 9 years, I don’t think I could ever serve a midnight service (may the Lord bless). This Pascha drove home this for me.
This year, as the Royal doors opened, and the Paschal flame was being disturbed, the rising sun broke into the Church, blinding those few in attendance (not to mention, giving some spectacular effects for our streaming camera). Truly this manifested what this service bears witness to, that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn. 1:5). To have a cosmic witness of our sorrow turning to joy, and the darkness of this world giving way to the “Light of this world” (Jn. 8:12), makes this tradition all the more amazing and profound. Almost as amazing and profound as the Risen Christ shining his victory upon us on His glorious Pascha!
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
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