Journey to Pascha

Published by:
BLESS Group Educators 2010
Ypapanti Greek Orthodox Church
4648 Elk Lake Drive
Victoria, B.C. V8Z 5M1
 Paschal Troparion

This hymn (song) is sung at all services beginning with

Pascha, and is sung for 40 days afterwards. We will be
practicing it until Pascha.

ENGLISH:
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs
bestowing life.

GREEK:
Χρ ι σ τ ο ς α ν ε σ τ η ε κ
ν ε κ ρ ω ν,
θ α ν α τω θα ν α τ ο ν πα
τ η σ α ς,
κ α ι τ ο ι ς ε ν τ ο ι ς µ
ν η µ α σ ι,
ζ ω η ν χα ρ η σα µ ε ν ο ς!

Hristos anesti ek nekron

Thanato thanaton patisas,
 Ke tis en tis mnimasin,
Zoin harisamenos!

What is a troparion and a kontakion?

They are types of hymns in Byzantine music, in the Orthodox
Church and other Eastern Christian churches.
 Lazarus Saturday - the start of Holy
Week
The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead
One day, Jesus' friend Lazarus became very sick. His sisters, Martha
and Mary, sent a messenger to tell Jesus and ask Him to come quickly.
Jesus knew Lazarus was very sick and would die, but He waited two
more days and then went to Bethany. Jesus knew Lazarus was already
dead, but He said to His disciples, "For your sake, I am glad I was not
there, so that now you may believe."

The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. Martha ran to
meet Jesus and said to Him: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother
would not have died." Jesus told them: "Your brother will rise again."
Martha answered: "I know he will rise from the dead when everyone
will be made alive again, when the resurrection comes on the last day."
Then Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life for all who believe
in me. Do you believe this?" Martha answered: 'Yes, Lord, I believe that
you are the Messiah (Savior), the Son of God."

Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried. He wept for his
friend and told the men to move the stone that covered the cave.
Martha said: "Lord, there will be a terrible smell, for Lazarus has been
dead for four days!" But Jesus called: "Lazarus, come out!" The dead
man arose and walked out of his tomb, covered with the bands of cloth
that had been his burial clothes. Jesus said: "Unwrap him and let him
go." Many people saw this and were excited about what had happened!
They ran to tell their friends about the miracle they had seen with their
own eyes!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What miracle did Jesus perform at Lazarus’ home?
How were Mary, Martha and Lazarus related?
Were Lazarus and Mary and Martha related to Jesus?
When Jesus arrived at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, what
had happened to Lazarus?
What did Jesus do for His good friend?
Why is the raising of Lazarus important to us?
Was Lazarus really dead or was he just very, very sick?
How do we know that Jesus really loved Lazarus?
Why do you think Jesus waited a few days to come to Lazarus' tomb
instead of coming right away?
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Troparion
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion,
You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God!
Like the children with palms of victory,
We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of Death;
Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the
Lord!
Kontakion
Christ - the Joy, the Truth, and the Light of All, the Life of the World and
the Resurrection - has appeared in his goodness to those on earth. He
has become the Image of our resurrection, granting divine forgiveness
to all.
For Parents
Lazarus Saturday is a paschal celebration. It is the only time in the
entire Church Year that the resurrection service of Sunday is celebrated
on an other day. At the liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, the Church glorifies
Christ as "the Resurrection and the Life" who by raising Lazarus,
has confirmed the universal resurrection of mankind even before his
own suffering and death.

At the Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday the baptismal verse from

Galatians: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ (Galatians 32:27) replaces the Thrice-Holy Hymn thus
indicating the resurrectional character of the celebration, and the fact
that Lazarus Saturday was once among the few great baptismal days
[of adult
catechumens] in the Orthodox Church Year.

Because of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, Christ was hailed
by the masses as the long-expected Messiah-King of Israel. Thus, in
fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, he entered
Jerusalem, the City of the King, riding on the colt of an ass. (Zechariah
9:9; John 12:12) The crowds greeted him with branches in their hands
and called out to him with shouts of praise: Hosanna! Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord! The Son of David! The
King of Israel! Because of this glorification by the people, the priests
and scribes were finally driven "to destroy him, to put him to
death." (Luke 19:47; John 11:53, 12:10)

From The Orthodox Faith, Vol. II: Worship, by Fr. Thomas Hopko.

Family Activities
Make a point of being in Church for Liturgy on this day to worship as
a family. Receive the Eucharist as a family. This day begins the events
of the Passion Week.
If the youth of your parish fold the palms into the form of a cross, or
trim the pussywillow branches in preparation for Palm Sunday, make it
a point for your children to be involved.
In some Orthodox parishes, it is the custom on Lazarus Saturday for
the children of the parish to make a procession around the church.
They sing, carry banners and even play musical instruments,
recreating the children of the Gospels who heralded the entry of Our
Lord into Jerusalem by waving palm branched and crying, "Hosanna!
Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord." If your parish does
this, make a point of having your children participate. If not, ask your
priest and Church School Director about starting a new custom!
Use the Troparion and Kontakion as prayers at mealtime today.
Use the ABOUT THE ICON section to review the different individuals
and elements of the icon.
About the Icon: The Raising of Lazarus
St. Lazarus — the figure on the extreme right; he is depicted at the entrance of his
tomb, wrapped in his white burial shroud.
Christ — the third figure from the left; He is depicted commanding Lazarus to come
forth from the tomb.
St. Peter the Disciple — the figure on the extreme left; usually all twelve are
depicted in the icon, but in the present icon, Saint Peter, the chief disciple, is
depicted to represent all twelve.
St. Mary the Sister of Lazarus — second figure from the left; usually both Saint
Mary and Saint Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus, are depicted in the icon, but in the
present icon Saint Mary is depicted to represent them both.
Jerusalem — in the background of the icon is the walled city of Jerusalem, which
Christ would enter in triumph the day following His raising of Lazarus.

Taken from The Icon Book, by Boojamra, Essey, McLuckie & Matusiak.
 The Entrance of Our Lord into
Jerusalem
(Palm Sunday)
- celebrated on the Sunday before Pascha

The great Jewish holiday, called Passover, was drawing near. The city of
Jerusalem was full of people who had come from all parts of the
country for the holiday. The streets were crowded with people hurrying
to the temple. It was spring and the trees had fresh, green leaves.

Jesus Christ and His disciples were also going to Jerusalem for the
holiday. Jesus knew that the time was coming when He would have to
suffer and die. He also knew that all this must happen in Jerusalem. As
they were approaching the city, Jesus said to two of His disciples: "Go
into the town ahead and, as you enter it, you shall see a donkey and a
colt tied to a door. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone asks
you
why you untie them, tell them it is because the Lord needs them." The
disciples obeyed, and as they came to a road crossing they saw the
donkey and the young colt tied to a door. They did as Jesus told them
and brought them to Jesus Christ. Then Jesus rode the colt to
Jerusalem.

Very soon among the holiday crowds in the streets of Jerusalem the
rumor spread: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord, the King of Israel"
("The Lord is approaching Jerusalem. He is the promised Savior. He will
be our King.")
The people hurried to the city gates. They hurried along the road. More
and more people joined the crowd. There were children running among
the grown-ups. Everyone was asking: "Where is the Lord? Where is the
Savior?" Some important Jewish people came up to Jesus and said:
"Master, tell Your disciples to stop this noise." But Jesus
answered them: "I tell you, if these people will stop shouting and being
glad, then the stones themselves, which you see there, will cry out."

The crowd pressing around Jesus was slowly approaching Jerusalem.

They were coming down a hill, and there before them lay the beautiful
city shining in the sun. Jesus looked at the city sadly. He knew, even
now, that in a few days the people of Jerusalem would turn against
Him. But the people surrounding Him did not know this. They followed
Jesus rejoicing and singing until He entered the temple.
This is what we celebrate on Palm Sunday. We carry palm branches on
this day to show that we too accept Jesus as King, and that we are
willing to follow Him, and we are proud of His Cross and holy Passion.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where was Jesus going?
On what was he riding?
How did the people honor Him as king?
What did the children and people shout out?
How do we greet presidents or kings today?
 2.

The Troparion (Tone 1)

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion,
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children, with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death,
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
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For Parents
From the first day of Holy Week, we must "receive" Jesus Christ, and
accept that His will is sovereign over us. The meaning of PALM SUNDAY
lies in this welcome given to the Christ who comes to us.

The crowd, which acclaimed Jesus, carried palms and branches. These
branches were probably olive branches — the most common tree
around Jerusalem. Palms and olives both have their symbolic meaning.
The palm stands for victory and the olive for peace and anointing. So
let us go before Jesus and pay homage to His power and to His
tenderness, in offering our victories [which are in fact His victories]
both over ourselves and over sin, and our inner peace [which is His
peace].

The crowd shouted: "Hosanna! Blessed is He that comes in the Name

of the Lord!" If I can say these words with complete sincerity and
submission, if they mean that the impulse of my whole being goes
toward the King, whom from henceforth I acknowledge, then in that
instant I have turned away from my sins and have received Jesus
Christ. May He be welcomed and blessed, He who comes to me.

Family Activities
Read the Scripture references. Discuss the setting of the Feast and
the significance of the people holding the palms.
If it is the practice in your parish, attend the Vigil Service on
Saturday evening and receive the palms and/or pussywillows. Bring
them to Church on Sunday for the Divine Liturgy.
Sing or read the Troparion at your meals on Palm Sunday.
Bring an extra palm/pussywillow to a shut-in or relative who was
unable to attend the services.
Arrange the palm/pussywillow behind an icon or cross in your home.
About the Icon: Palm Sunday
Christ — central figure depicted seated upon a donkey.
The Disciples — the group of figures on the extreme left.
The Jews — the group of figures on the extreme right
The Children — the miniature people in front of the donkey, carrying palm boughs.
The City of Jerusalem — walled buildings on the right; the temple is symbolized by
the dome.
Taken from The Icon Book, by Boojamra, Essey, McLuckie & Matusiak.
 Bridegroom Service - Holy Monday
and Tuesday
The Bridegroom Service - The hymn we sing on the evenings of
Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and in some churches, on
Holy Wednesday, comes from Scripture. On Palm Sunday, we sing this
hymn as our priest carries this icon of Christ during a procession while
we kneel.

Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night and

blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching; and
unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless (not paying
attention). Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest (for fear that) you
be given up to death and shut out from the Kingdom. He who is
found negligent (forgetful) shall be judged unworthy. Wherefore
rouse yourself (wake up) and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, our
God, through the protection of the Heavenly Hosts save us.

Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. The Church is the Bride and
each of us is a servant. The Bridegroom service warns us to be ready
for Christ's Second Coming by preparing our souls – living the Christian
life as Jesus taught. He wants all people to join Him in Heaven. When
Jesus tells stories about the Wedding Feast, He is talking about Heaven.

For Parents
Each day of Holy Week has its own particular theme. The theme of
Monday [celebrated in anticipation on Palm Sunday evening] is that of
the sterile fig tree [Matthew 21: 18-20] which yields no fruit and is
condemned. Tuesday [celebrated Monday evening] the accent is on the
vigilance of the wise virgins [Matthew 25: 1-13] who, unlike their
foolish sisters, were ready when the Lord came to them. Wednesday
[celebrated Tuesday evening] the focus is on the fallen woman
[Matthew 26: 6-13] who repents.
Great emphasis is made in the liturgical services to compare the
woman, a sinful harlot who is saved, to Judas, a chosen apostle who is
lost. The one gives her wealth to Christ and kisses his feet; the other
betrays Christ for money with a kiss. The Gospel is read at the Matins
services, which are traditionally called the "Bridegroom" services
because the general theme of each of these days is the end of the
world and the judgment of Christ. It is the common practice to
serve the Bridegroom services at night.
From The Orthodox Faith, Vol. II: Worship by Fr. Thomas Hopko.
 Holy Monday

About the Icon: Holy Monday

Jesus stands in the center pointing to the fig tree that has no fruit on it. An axe lies
at His feet.
The Young Man on the right represents the Apostles to whom Jesus is speaking.
Barren Fig Tree — People plant fig trees for figs and shade. If a fig tree is sick, the
owner pays special attention to it so that it will once again yield figs and shade. If the
fig tree remains sick, the owner cuts it down and replaces it with a healthy fig tree.
God has planted all of us in the orchard of his Kingdom. We give our Owner shade
and figs by our works of kindness and love for Him. When we are sick in sin, we stop
growing in kindness and love. God in His loving-kindness tries to help us, save us and
have mercy on us. If we refuse to regain our health, we are cut out of the orchard of
the Kingdom.
The following icon is taken from The Parables of Christ, Byzantine Seminary Press,
1985, p. 14.
The Barren Fig Tree.
"A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he
came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he
unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I
come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down;
why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him,
Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung
it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt
cut it down" (Lk. 13:6-9).

God the Father, like the owner of the fig tree, was expecting
repentance and faith from the Jewish people over the three years of His
Son's public ministry. The Son of God, like a kind and caring dresser,
asked the Lord to wait while he would try to make the fig tree, the
Jews, fruitful again. But His efforts were not crowned with success and
the dreadful prophecy was fulfilled in that God did cast off the people
who steadfastly resisted Him. The Lord Jesus Christ depicted the
fulfillment of this fearful moment when, on His way to Jerusalem,
several days prior to His sufferings on the cross, He withered the
fruitless fig tree growing at the side of the road (See Matthew 21:19).

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Holy Tuesday
Jesus told this story to His followers:

There were ten maidens (that means girls) who were waiting for a
bridegroom to come to a wedding. Their job was to walk with him
and light the way with oil lamps. They needed to have plenty of oil
for their lamps, so they would be ready. Five of them did have
plenty of oil, but the other five had not bothered to make sure
they had lots of oil.

It got so late that all the maidens fell asleep. At midnight, the
bridegroom came and everyone called, "He is here! Come to meet
him!" The maidens all woke up and started to get their lamps
ready. The foolish ones said to the wise ones, "Give us some of
your oil."

But there was not enough time for the wise maidens to share their
oil. The foolish girls rushed out to buy some. But while they were
gone, the bridegroom came. He and the wise maidens went to the
wedding party. The door was closed.

The foolish maidens returned, and knocked on the door. They said,
"Let us in!" But it was too late. The bridegroom said, "I do not
know you."

After He finished telling this story, Jesus said, "Keep watch and be
ready, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of
Man is coming."
About the Icon: Holy Tuesday
Jesus and the Five Wise Virgins stand on the roof of the house that they have
entered for the wedding party. These five women had extra oil to keep their lamps
burning until the Bridegroom, Christ, arrived.
The Five Foolish Virgins standing outside the house had no extra oil and their
lamps went out, just as the groom was arriving. They missed the party.
The extra oil is actually the good things that we do and the valuable company that
we keep; this is the oil that makes sure that our lamp, our faith, is always lit, as we
wait for our Bridegroom.
This icon is taken from The Parables of Christ, Byzantine Seminary Press, 1985, p.
17.