Tis the season for forgiveness.
Last week was the beginning of the Orthodox Easter, or Pascha. Forgiveness Sunday. What a lovely service.
It started as a typical liturgy, with forgiveness vespers sandwiched in the middle. After a lot of repentance and mercy prayers and a bunch of prostrations, the whole congregation (beginning with the clergy as a model) began asking forgiveness of each other, ending with many kisses and tears. It was beautiful, especially when I looked into the eyes of the few that I did have some hidden offense against in my heart and begged their forgiveness. A glimpse of heaven.
After that, the church transformed into purple everywhere, starting with the priests and deacons vestments, and then other cloths draped everywhere, symbolizing royalty of Christians.
Can't wait for this Sunday, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, celebrating the legalization of icons in the early church.
I'm having so much stinkin fun, it's ridiculous.
No comments:
Post a Comment