Western Easter coincided with Orthodox Pascha this year and precipitated a larger number of pilgrims here. Despite the long services of Holy Week, the clergy were inspired to sing the Paschal canon joyfully along with the choir. Over 250 of the faithful and clergy received the Holy Mysteries this sacred evening, As per tradition the Paschal Gospel reading from the first chapter of St. John, was read in Greek, English, Spanish and Church Slavonic. This reading expresses the theological significance of the coming into the world of the Son of God.
The joy of the crowd was expressed by the children who gleefully shouted out “Indeed He is Risen.”
In answer to the question of how a young pilgrim experienced the first monastery Pascha of his life, his answer was that he wanted to move here.
Vladyka Luke expressed the joy of the feast with a few words at the end of breakfast after the Divine Liturgy. He stated that the Lord in His great mercy, blessed us to receive the great bounty of grace on this holy night. He has accomplished His saving mission. It is now up to us to partake of it.
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