Pascha - The Feast of Feasts at Saint Steven's Cathedral in Alhambra

Just a little before midnight on Saturday, April 11, 2015, the Blessed Sabbath, His Grace Bishop Maxim, the clergy, and the Orthodox faithful gathered at the Saint Steven's Cathedral to participate in the Feast of Feasts, Great and Holy PASCHA, the Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

As the children of the Youth Chorale chanted the verse "Come Receive the Light", His Grace offered the Paschal Light of Christ to the faithful and after receiving the unwaning light the Easter procession around the Church began as the clergy and faithful sang, "The angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour, sing of Thy resurrection. Make us on earth also worthy to hymn Thee with a pure heart". After returning to the closed doors at the front of the church, His Grace announced the Resurrection of Christ and the Easter Troparion was sung, "Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life".

After entering the church the Easter Matins continued with the joyful repeated proclamation by His Grace Bishop Maxim and the clergy, "Christ Is Risen", followed by the response of the all the faithful, "Indeed He Is Risen!"

After the joyful singing of the feastal hyms of the matins service the Easter Divine Liturgy began with the singing of the Festal Troparion, "Christ is Risen from the dead...", followed by the special antiphons, the Epistle Reading, the Gospel Reading, and the receiving of Holy Communion by all the faithful.

The Easter (Pascha) service, the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, was a joyous celebration, as it is each Sunday, and for the next 40 days as we anticipate Pentecost, the Birth of the Church, we will exclaim, Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!

Source:Western American Diocese