My beloved spiritual children in Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN

ON MAY 27th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES THE APODOSIS (LEAVETAKING) OF ALL-HOLY PASCHA

On Wednesday of the Sixth Week of the All-Holy Pascha, we celebrate the Apodosis (Leavetaking) of the Feast. While most holy Feasts have their Leavetaking (Apodosis) on the 8th day, Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, has its Leavetaking (Apodosis) on the Thirty-Ninth day. The Fortieth Day is the Great Feast of the Divine Ascension of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, which marks the end of the Lord's physical presence on earth. He does not abandon us, however. He has promised to be with us always, even until the end of the age.

"...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (St. Matthew 28:20). By saying He is "with you always," Jesus means His Resurrection is neither of the past, nor of the future. It is always present in our lives through the Holy Spirit our God. We know Him directly, here and now, in the present, as our Savior and our Friend. "To the end of the age" does not by any means imply that we are far to be separated from Him after the consummation. He is with us now, and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. As we sing in the Kontakion hymn for Holy Ascension, "Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ Our God, not being parted from those who love Thee, but remaining with them and crying: I am with You and no one will be against you."

The divine services today are celebrated just as on the Glorious Day of Pascha itself. Following the Dismissal at the Divine Liturgy, the Paschal Hymn is no longer chanted. The prayer "O Heavenly King" ("Vasilef Ouraniae...") is not said or chanted until the Great Feast of Pentecost. Even though today is a Wednesday fasting is not observed strictly.

On this day we also commemorate the finding of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God "Of the Meeting" in Kalamata in the Peloponnesos, Greece.

Apolytikion of Apodosis (Leavetaking) of the All-Holy Pascha

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling upon death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing Life.

Kontakion Hymn of the Apodosis (Leavetaking) of the All-Holy Pascha

Though Thou went down into the tomb, Thou destroyed Hades' power, and Thou arose Victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail" and granted peace to Thy disciples, Thou who raise up the fallen.

CHRISTOS ANESTI! ALETHOS ANESTI! CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

KAI TOY CHRONOU!

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With sincere agape in our Risen Lord and God Jesus Christ,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George