Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Krishti U-Ngjall! Vërtet U-Ngjall! are the traditional Orthodox Christian Paschal greetings in both English and Albanian. Click onto the following link to view the Paschal greeting in numerous languages. The St. George community recently completed the service cycle of Great Lent and Holy Week to Holy Pascha, with the celebration of the Midnight Paschal Liturgy and the Paschal Vespers on April 20th. Below are a few photos from the Nocturne & Midnight Paschal services., the Paschal Vespers, and a few photos from the Children's Easter Egg Hunt.Also, a unique drone video is available to view by clicking onto the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j0TuS1EZk It shows the parishioners exiting a darkened church with lighted candles for the Matins service, which is held outside, before re-entering a lighted church to celebrate the Midnight Paschal Liturgy. We wish to thank Pierre Rhodes (Maribeth DiIlulio’s fiancé, and owner of Beyond All Drones) who put the video together.
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St. George's icon of The Resurrection (or of The Feast of Holy Pascha) |
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In a darkened church, Fr. Sergei brings out the light from the Altar |
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Fr. Sergei passes the light from the Altar to 2 parishioners (Curt Dionis & Greg Buzi II) to pass to the rest of parishioners |
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Curt & Greg pass the light from the Altar among the parishioners |
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Parishioners with lighted candles exiting the church to the outside |
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Fr. Sergei, proceeded by the Book of Gospels, exits the church |
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Choir and parishioners outside with their lighted candles for the midnight Matins Service |
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Fr. Sergei reads the Gospel lesson (Mark 16:1-8) |
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"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; .... " |
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The Paschal Greeting: Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Krishti U-Ngjall! Vërtet U-Ngjall! |
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Fr. Sergei knocks on the closed doors of the church to re-enter a re-lighted church |
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Reading of the Gospel (John 1: 1-17). Thanks to Nardi Tollkuci for reading the Gospel lesson in Albanian. |
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At the end of the Divine Liturgy, blessing of some parishioners Paschal foods of eggs, cheese, breads, and meats |
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Parishioners and Fr. Sergei exchanging a Paschal kiss, an Orthodox ritual exchanged during Pascha, while receiving a red dyed Paschal egg at the end of the Paschal Vespers. |
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Exchanging the Paschal greeting: "Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! while exchanging a Paschal kiss. |
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A few photos from the Children's Easter Egg Hunt which was held after the Paschal Vespers service |
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