Orthodixie

Back in North Carolina, our Mission would process around the church three times singing “Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour …” before entering the brightly lighted church. That is, of course, weather permitting. Well, one year the skies were threatening, it had rained earlier in the day, but it was our last year to serve Pascha in a former 3-car garage before moving into our soon-to-be-built building.

What’s a few rain drops, right?

First time around: no problem, just kinda misty. The Subdeacon said, “We goin’ round again?” “Absolutely!” I said exuberantly!

Then, about half way through that go-round, it started raining in earnest. Undaunted – I mean, what, were we melting? – we got in the full three laps. For the Matins Gospel the servers and I were afforded the roof off of the Rectory porch and then we entered the church.

Imagine my surprise when I turned ‘round and shouted Christ is Risen! Only to see a legion of ladies all Alice Cooperfied, resembling a bunch of depressed KISS fans …

Anyways … there’s more to the story — this week’s Pascha Podcast features songs by: The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, Kiss, The Rascals, Harry Nilsson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Fats Domino, a dab o’ Bowie, The Vapors, and … well, not really praise-worthy but: me.

From clerical collar wearing altar boys, to postpartum Paschal choir directors, to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins: I’ve seen it all. And you’ve never heard the Good News till you’ve heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist, and a Southern accent …

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

Christ is Risen!

Pic from BlackBerry.

A re-posting from 2007 …

I was blessed to carry the cross for the Crucifixion re-enactment during last night’s Twelve Gospels service. (Pictured here, courtesy Greg Quartaro, heading through the narthex.) I hadn’t expected the honour, but was asked to carry it just before the procession left the altar. Having had no experience with that particular cross, I had no idea what I was getting into when I hoisted it over my shoulder and stooped to pass through the door leading out of the iconostasis. Then I felt a guiding hand assisting at the base of the cross. Knowing that there was someone helping me to steer the cross through building and people was a great relief! The darkened church was packed with people kneeling, and the last thing you want to do is to whap someone on the head during the three circuits of the temple.

As each curve approached, like an eighteen wheeler I was careful with my rear in making my forward movements. Always … I felt the guiding hand helping out in the back.

After a while I started to resent all the help I was getting … thinking: “Come on, Fr John, I’m not that bad! I think I’ve got the hang of it.” But, it was a comfort, nonetheless, to know that someone was helping me to make it to Golgatha.

As I ascended the steps of the solea, and circled the stand for the cross, I noticed that I was alone … the other priests and servers had stopped at the edge of the solea. I still felt the helping hand — I thought my mind played a trick.

After placing the cross in the holder, Fathers John Salem and Joseph Shahda “nailed” our Lord’s image to the Cross … we made our reverences and re-entered the altar while 300 or so of the faithful made their way up to fall down before the Tree and kiss the image of the Saviour’s feet.

I said to Fr John, “I appreciate your help steering the cross.”

He said, “I didn’t help you.”

I said, “Come on! Really?”

“No,” he said, “I made sure I was about five feet behind you so that I wouldn’t interfere.”

Y’all?

God is [always] good.

Good Friday.

The late Archbishop JOB sings the 15th Antiphon from Matins of Great and Holy Friday.

I totally stole this link from Molly at Close to Home.

[The video was recorded by a Holy Trinity parishioner, who writes: “In fact, the video’s existence is a miracle in itself because Vladyka didn’t want to sing it that year, but he was encouraged to by the other clergy and servers. I had tried for a few years before to record this, but something always went wrong. I was fortunate this year that my infant daughter fell asleep for just the right 15 minutes, and my memory card and camera batteries lasted through the entire hymn. I recorded nervously through the entire antiphon, expecting one of the many variables that had lined up to fall out of place… It was with utter joy that I stopped recording when it ending, knowing that I had a great gift in my hand.” More info – here.]

My wife, upon hearing and watching this video, was moved to tears.

It’s worth your time.

May his memory be eternal!

Just like on Great & Holy Friday when, during the Lamentations of the Theotokos, we sing the verse “Every generation …” — each year, during Matins on Great & Holy Monday evening, when we sing the hymn (below) I am reminded of God’s great and bounteous goodness …

Come, ye believers, let us work diligently for the Master; for he distributes wealth unto his servants. Let each of us according to his ability, increase the gift of grace twofold. Let one be adorned with wisdom according to good deeds, another accomplish a service with splendor; let one preach to the unenlightened in word and faith, another distribute treasure unto the poor; for thus shall we increase the loan twofold, as faithful agents of the grace, and be worthy of the joy of the Master. Wherefore, O Christ our God, prepare us for this, since thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

— Taken from the Aposticha of Orthros, Holy Tuesday

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