The head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), led Matins and the Divine Liturgy of Pascha on the holy Mount of Olives in the Ascension Monastery.

At 11:30 Saturday evening, after the reading of the canon of Great Saturday, while singing “Mother, do not cry for me,” the holy shroud was brought into the altar and the royal gates were closed in anticipation of the Bright Easter Matins. Before 12:00 at night, Fr. Roman came out of the altar with the Holy Fire and while pronouncing the words: “Receive the light from the non-setting Light, and glorify Christ, who has risen from the dead,” Abbess Barbara and her sisters came up and lit their candles.

While singing quietly “Thy Resurrection Christ the Savior,” Fr. Roman with fellow clergy: Archimandrite Vasily (Druzhinets), Abbot Iona (Galishnikov) and with Deacon Vyacheslav Batalsky left the altar and were led by the sisters carrying a lantern, cross and holy icons exited the church in procession depicting the arrival of the myrrh-bearing women to the sepulcher. Walking around the church three times, the clergy and sisters were accompanied by the beautiful ringing of the bells of the “Russian Candle”. Stopping in front of closed doors of the church, the joyous hymn of the Savior’s resurrection – “Christ is Risen”was intoned for the first time! At the proclamation of the message that Christ was risen, the sisters and those praying with true joy answered “Truly He has Risen”!!!

Entering the temple, Easter Matins began, punctuated with the exclamation “Christ is Risen”.

Immediately after Matins we the service of the Divine Liturgy was served during which everyone partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

After to the Liturgy, everyone continued on to the monastery refectory where they broke the seven week fast. Afterwards everyone retired to their cells with joy.

 

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