Holy Tradition (written with a capital "T") encompasses the beliefs of the Orthodox Church that are in Holy Scripture, the writings of the Fathers, the liturgy of the Church, and through oral transmission through the ages. An example of Holy Tradition: Joachim and Anna are the parents of Mary the Theotokos. Their names do not appear in the Bible, but have been handed down to us since the beginnings of Church history. Orthodox traditions (written with a small "t") are defined as pious customs the things that we do as Orthodox Christians. There are many examples of pious traditions in the week from Palm Sunday through Pascha, the feast of the Resurrection.

An Arabic tradition is to hold candles decorated with flowers for Palm Sunday along with palm branches. Greeks hold crosses woven from either palm branches or bay leaves on Palm Sunday. Slavic peoples receive pussy willow branches on Palm Sunday. These are adaptations due to climate in the country of origin of these people.

The Greek people greet each other with "Kali Anestasi", or "Good Resurrection" on Great and Holy Friday. In the Russian tradition, the faithful carry home the "Thursday Fire" - the candles that we hold during the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels on Holy Thursday night. The flame is used to light the lampada in the family's Icon Corner where it remains lit for the whole year.

In the Greek tradition, on the other hand, the Paschal light is taken home instead. After the Resurrection service, the faithful do not blow out the candles, but hold them during the entire Paschal Divine Liturgy. Every time the celebrant exclaims "Christ is risen!" everyone in the congregation lifts their candle high as the choir sings or responds with "Indeed, He is risen!" After the service, the faithful take the fire home to light the lampadas in front of their icons. At mealtimes, the candle is lit as the family sings "Christ is Risen."

The red egg that the clergy presents to the faithful at the end of the Paschal Divine Liturgy is also a tradition. The egg represents Christ in the tomb. Breaking the egg is symbolic of the Resurrection.

Slavic people and by some Greek families observe the tradition of bringing a basket of food to be blessed after the Paschal Divine Liturgy. The basket usually contains bread (made with eggs and milk), cheese, meat, eggs, butter, salt, and other foods that the family plans on having for their Paschal celebration. There should also be a lit candle, symbolizing the Light of Christ. T

he English word "Easter" is not a biblical word. It is thought to be a translation of the name of the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess, "Eostre". In any case, it is an English word which is used today to translate the Greek term 'Pascha', which translates the Hebrew term for 'Passover'. The Christian Church transformed the Jewish Passover, which commemorated the freeing of the Hebrew people from Egyptian bondage into a feast which commemorated the death and resurrection of Christ which freed humanity from the bondage of death, sin and evil. We do not have a command from Jesus to celebrate the Paschal Feast. But the Bible clearly indicates the New Testament belief that Christ is the New Pascha for believers in Him, and that this is to be celebrated by Christians: "For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival ..." (I Corinthians 5:7). The celebration of Christ's Resurrection became the first Christian Feast - the Christian Pascha.

All of these traditions and customs are good. They help us celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Come to the Chapel. Your attendance is required to help celebrate the Resurrection of the Savior in many traditions.

Very Rev. Frank P. Mayernick