Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

Christ is Risen!

The first to know about the Resurrection of the Lord was “Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles” (Luke 24:10), a group of women who “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb” (Luke 24:1).

They became, as St. John Chrysostom put it, “Apostles to the Apostles”, those who first announced the good news that Christ rose from the tomb, as He foretold. In the Gospel there are no insignificant details at all, and the fact that women were the first to learn about the Resurrection was not merely chance.

In apostolic times the testimony of women was not given merit. Even the Apostles themselves perceived the witness of the Myrrh-bearing women with obvious distrust: “But they (apostles) did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (Luke 24:11). In that era, women were considered clearly unsuitable witnesses for an event of such importance.

A reason that God honored women to be the first witnesses of the Resurrection consists in the fact that God confounded human pride, selecting those who society were inclined to consider as inferior. This is reminiscent of the words of the Apostle Paul from the Epistle to the Corinthians:

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-29).

God exalts the lowly and downtrodden!

It is also noteworthy that the women go to Jesus not at the moment when He is surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd doing miracles, nor when people expect His accession, but when He seems to have lost completely and is humbled, destroyed, killed, and buried. They are faithful to the Lord at a time when His defeat seemed certain. That’s why they were granted the grace to be the first to learn of His Resurrection. Truly He is Risen!

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Sunday of Saint Thomas

Christ is Risen!

In the Byzantine Rite, the Sunday after Easter is known as “Thomas Sunday.” On this day we commemorate the belief of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” Rather than focusing on doubt, however, the Church sees in Thomas’ unbelief an opportunity for great faith.

After the crucifixion and death of Jesus, Thomas was lost in despair and confusion, so much so that he didn’t gather with his fellow disciples for their evening meal when the Risen Lord first appeared to them. On the following day, they found Thomas and related to him the good news of the Resurrection. Despairing, Thomas said:

“Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.”

The next Sunday evening Jesus once again stood among the disciples in the same locked room. This time Thomas was present. Jesus turned to Thomas and said:

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. He fell to his knees in awe and professed:

“My Lord and my God!”

Thomas’ initial unbelief transformed into a greater manifestation of the reality of Christ’s Resurrection in the flesh. The Slavonic inscription on his icon reads “The Belief of Thomas,” emphasizing his confession of faith rather than his doubt. The writings of Saint John Chrysostom and Blessed Archbishop Theofylact of Bulgaria, among others, explain that the expression “My Lord and my God” indicates the dual nature of Christ.

It is believed that Saint Thomas preached the gospel in India, where he angered local religious authorities, who martyred him by running him through with a spear.

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Paschal Greetings

Christ is Risen from the dead, by death He trampled Death and to those in the tombs, He granted Life!

Хс҄рсто́съ воскре́се ᾿изъ ме́ртвыхъ, сме́ртїю сме́рть попра́въ, ᾿и су́щимъ во гробѣ́хъ Живо́тъ дарова́въ!

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος!

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are abolished. Christ is risen and the demons are cast down. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life is freed. Christ is risen and the tomb is emptied of the dead: for Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the Leader and Reviver of those who had fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen! – Excerpt from Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom

May the peace, joy, and hope of the Resurrection reign in your hearts!

Christ is Risen!  Христос Воскресе!  Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!

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Great and Holy Saturday

“Do not mourn for me, O Mother, when you see in the grave the Son whom you conceived in your womb without seed. For I will arise, and as God I will be glorified, and will raise up in glory those who extol you with faith and with love” (Ninth Ode of Holy Saturday Jerusalem Matins).

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The Good Thief

One thief, releasing his spirit, cursed the Son of God: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” The other thief prayed to the Lord: “Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom!”

The torments of crucifixion killed both the body and the soul of one thief, whereas the sufferings killed the body but saved the soul of the other.

The Cross of Christ was destruction for one of the thieves, but salvation for the other.

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Great and Holy Friday

Filled with infinite love in inexpressible humility, Jesus accepted the supreme abasement of the Cross.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” – (Isaiah 53:5).

What can we offer Our Lord in return for His immeasurable sacrificial love poured out for us on the Cross? He Himself answered this question:

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35).

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Holy (Maundy) Thursday

When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the washing of their feet before the supper,
the impious Judas was darkened by the disease of avarice,
and to the lawless judges he betrayed You, the Righteous Judge.
Behold, this man because of avarice hanged himself.
Flee from the insatiable desire which dared such things against the Master!
O Lord Who deals righteously with all, glory to You! – Troparion for Holy Thursday

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