LAKE JAMES

NORTH CAROLINA

 

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The 50 Days of Easter (Eastertide)

The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) is the oldest and most solemn Christian feast and the center of the Church’s liturgical year. The importance of Easter is emphasized by the forty days long preparation of Lent and the special ceremonies of Holy Week. But it is also emphasized by a fifty days long time of celebration called “Eastertide.” That season, beginning with Easter Day and ending with Pentecost, has a number of special features including the placing of the Paschal (Easter) Candle next to the pulpit where its light signifies the presence of the Risen Lord. For the rest of the year, the Paschal Candle is located next to the Baptismal Font and is lighted at all baptisms, while at funerals, it is placed at the head of the coffin, also reminding all of Christ’s presence at those special times.

Another example of the celebratory nature of the Great 50 Days is an increased use of the phrase “Alleluia” (Praise the Lord) in the liturgy.

In the beginning of the 17th century, the Church of England enacted canon laws requiring members of the clergy to recite a Daily Office consisting of Morning and Evening Prayer. Many American clerics follow that prescription, as do some devout members of the laity. A particular feature of Morning Prayer during Eastertide is the provision for reciting the a special canticle, the Pascha Nostrum (“Christ our Passover”) which is made up of verses from two Epistles of St. Paul: I Corinthians and Romans. It is found in the Book of Common Prayer on pp. 46 and 83, but for your convenience, I have printed it here – it is a powerful affirmation of our Christian Faith. – A. T. K. Z. +

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleuia.

 

This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:40 PM