A ‘PACKAGE DEAL’

Participating in Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection

Metropolitan-Emeritus Stefan Soroka

Our Lenten journey is quickly reaching its climax as we enter into a most intimate spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. We will contemplate His suffering and crucifixion while participating in the holy services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The plaschanytsia, or Holy Shroud, depicting the crucified body of Jesus, will be solemnly placed in a grave within our church. This offers a tremendous opportunity to sit peacefully with the crucified Lord, meditating on our earthly lives and the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.

On Easter morning, we enter our church to find the grave empty and to hear the joyous proclamation: “He is Risen!” The Holy Shroud now rests upon the altar, having been solemnly moved prior to the service. We come to church with the same excitement as the women who found the stone of the tomb already rolled away. An angel proclaims to them that He is risen! The doors of the iconostasis stand wide open, signifying the openness of the Heavenly Kingdom. We then join in a joyous procession around the church, proclaiming the Resurrection.

Let us not be hypocritical before God by celebrating the Resurrection with traditions and blessed foods without having first shared in the prayerful journey of the Crucifixion. It is a ‘package deal.’ Ensure your participation in the Good Friday service or, at the very least, devote time to meaningful reflection before the Holy Shroud. Only then can you truly taste the joy of the Resurrected Christ. Like the women at the empty grave and the early apostles, we will be blessed with our own personal, intimate encounters with Jesus Christ throughout our earthly journey.

Photo credit: Esarcato Apostolico in Italia – Апостольський Eкзархат в Італії