Gear Up for the Resurrection Tonight by Reading This...

Good morning! Is it Bright Saturday already??Have you just come stumbling out of Bright Saturday Liturgy? Can you believe that it's that time already? Christ has spent all night breaking open the gates of Hades and pulling free the souls that were trapped within--redeeming us all!It's a little too early for Khristos Anesti here on Eastern Standard Time, but I wanted you to have this gorgeous icon on your phone (see below), ready to go, so when we break out into Ya Kol A-Sefoof, you have this image of Christ rising and pulling Adam and Eve up to Paradise.And if you really want to get into the mood, you have to read this incredible description of the Feast of the Resurrection in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Tell me if it doesn't bring tears to your eyes with its strength. OH, and the description is by none other than Hans Christian Andersen of The Little Mermaid and The Snow Queen (Frozen--hello!) fame:"Day and night the church was filled with people. The King, the Queen, and the whole court were there on the midnight before Easter Day: the priests stood praying and mourning around the flower-filled coffin; the whole congregation prayed in silence. The clock struck twelve, and at the same moment the Bishop stepped forth, and said: 'Christ is risen!'"'Christ is risen!' burst from every tongue. Kettle-drums and trumpets sent forth their strains; the music played the liveliest dances! The whole people fell on each other’s necks, kissed, and joyously cried, “Christ is risen !” Shot after shot was heard outside; rockets darted into the air, torches were lighted, men and young lads, each with a candle in his hand, danced in a long row through the city. The women kindled fires, slaughtered lambs, and roasted them in the streets. Little children, who had all got new fez and new red shoes, danced in their shirts around the fires, kissed each other, and exclaimed like their parents, 'Christ is risen!' O, I could have pressed each of these children to my heart and exulted with them. 'Christ is risen!' It was touching, elevating, and beautiful." (Read the whole thing)A special thanks to Jen of Meditatio (who wrote us a HUGELY POPULAR guest post at the start of Great Lent) for sharing this!Doesn't this sound just like us? When we break out into Ya Kol A-Sefoof (and here) and then the Resurrection Play and Khristos Anesti is on every tongue. I don't think I have ever gotten through it without crying. Having mourned we rejoice. Having fasted we feast. Having grappled with our personal demons, we take heart together as a community at our salvation. By death He trampled on death! (Let's pull this little gem out again.)May the blessings of this Holy Week, of this Resurrection, of Christ's triumph be with us all.

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Of course, I didn't make this icon! (I wish I had that talent!) But I did edit it for you so it fits your smartphone screen (God willing). What could be more appropriate than this image?Make sure to click to open at full-size to save and set as wallpaper lock screen.Share this post on Facebook to inspire your friends as well!Here's a square version to download for use on Instagram!