POTTSTOWN, PA [DOEPA]

On Sunday, April 20, 2025, Great and Holy Pascha, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania celebrated the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown, PA.

Upon arrival at the temple, the faithful and members of the community greeted His Eminence. Archpriest John Edward, Rector, received Archbishop Mark and welcomed him on this great and saving day of Holy Pascha.

His Eminence presided over the Paschal Vigil. Serving with Archbishop Mark were Father John Edward and Archpriest John Onofrey, with Protodeacon Peter Skoog and the servers of the parish. The choir was led under the direction of Mrs. Kristina Carter.

During Nocturnes, His Eminence lifted the Plaschanitsa (Holy Shroud) from the Tomb and placed it on the Altar.

A procession was made around the Church three times with the singing of "Thy Resurrection."

Paschal Matins began outside of the entrance of the temple with "Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life‑giving, and undivided Trinity, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages!"

Archbishop Mark and the clergy joyfully exclaimed, "Christ is Risen!" to which the faithful responded, "Indeed He is Risen!"

During the Paschal Matins, His Eminence read the paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom:

"If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.

And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.

Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen."

Following the Paschal Hours, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was served. During the Liturgy, the Gospel (John 1:1–17) was read.

Many of the faithful present partook of the Holy Mysteries.

After the Ambo Prayer, the Artos was blessed along with the traditional red eggs. Following the Dismissal, a procession was made to the Church hall downstairs, where the Pascha baskets were blessed. These included flesh meats, eggs, and cheese. A joyous feast was then shared, lasting into the early morning hours.

In the afternoon, His Eminence presided over the Agape Vespers service, with Father John Edward and Protodeacon Peter also serving.

Archbishop Mark offered a homily on the Resurrection, reflecting on the victory of Christ over death and the joy that fills the hearts of the faithful. He spoke about the hope and new life made possible through the Lord’s rising, encouraging all to live as witnesses of the Resurrection in their daily lives. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Father John, Matushka Suja, and the faithful of Holy Trinity for their warm hospitality on this Great Feast of the Church.

Glory to God for all things!

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office