On May 1, the community of St. John the Baptist gathered for the Feast of Feasts - Great and Holy PASCHA. With the church dimly lit, but all the lambadas and cloth changed to white, the parish began the Nocturns service of Pascha. At the conclusion the lights and candles were all extinguished and Father Silouan came out with the light singing,” Come Ye, Take Light” to which council members responded and in turn shared their light with the rest of the parish.  After processing around the Church temple three times Fr. Silouan read the Gospel at the doors and then banged on the doors… “Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of Glory may enter!”  After three times and an exchange that consisted of the final verses of Psalm 23 (24), the doors - symbolic of the Gates of Hades - were broken down and the Church of Christ triumphantly entered in.  Festive worship ensued for Matins and Divine Liturgy of Holy Pascha.  At the conclusion fo the service the Artos and eggs were blessed.  Father handed out an egg to everyone as they came forth to venerate the cross and then he processed down to Repella Hall to bless the baskets.  Following the blessing several stayed behind to feast with one another and rejoice Christ’s resurrection. The parish continued celebrating on Bright Monday, with a Divine Liturgy and procession about the temple which included reading the resurrection account from each of the four Gospels.

Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!
Christos tensiou! Bahake tensiou! (Eritrean)
Cristo ha resucitado! En verdad ha resucitado! (Spanish)
Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!