Songs of Life
The songs of the Paschal canon are amazing. The timing of the service is such that my children typically afford me the opportunity to actually hear them! They are worthy of a second look not only because of the joy they express, but also because they provide insight into our understanding of what exactly has happened in Christ's Holy Resurrection. It becomes clear very quickly to any casual observer that the Orthodox reject the notion that the Resurrection was merely some means of proving Christ's divinity or, worse yet, that it represents God "giving a nod" to Christ's exemplary life.
Here are a few excerpts…
This is the day of resurrection.
Let us be illumined, O people.
Pascha, the Pascha of the Lord.
For from death to life and from earth to heaven has Christ our God led us,
as we sing the song of victory
Christ is risen from the dead!
Come, let us drink, not miraculous water drawn forth from a barren stone,
but a new vintage from the fount of incorruption,
springing from the tomb of Christ.
In Him we are established.
Christ is risen from the dead!
The inspired prophet Habakkuk now stands with us in holy vigil.
He is like a shining angel who cries with a piercing voice:
Today salvation has come to the world,
for Christ is risen as all-powerful!
Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal,
Thou didst destroy the power of death.
In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God,
proclaiming "Rejoice" to the myrrhbearing women, granting peace
to Thy apostles, and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death
And upon those in the tombs
Bestowing life!
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