The lights went out at midnight at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Norwalk, and hundreds of parishioners sat in expectant darkness, the sound of men's singing filling the air. After a few minutes, the Rev. Nicholas Dassouras entered from the altar with a white candle and flames were passed from one candle to another and soon the church was lit again.
Thus, the Pascha (Easter) Resurrection Service began with symbolism, as Dassouras chanted, "Come; Receive the Light, the Light of the Resurrection."
This year, as last year, the Orthodox Pascha date coincides with the celebration of the Western Easter. But St. George parishioners celebrated with a midnight service that attracted both families with young children and elderly worshipers.
After the lights came back on, Dassouras and his entourage of altar boys led parishioners outside. They stood in the courtyard, among flower petals spread on the ground, and read the Gospels proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. The congregation sang "Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen)." Dassouras and the altar boys headed back inside when the gospels were done, and parishioners smiled and kissed each other.
Some went back in for the rest of the service. Dassouras read more gospels, in Greek and in English, and parishioners responded in song without needing hymnals. Everyone lined up to kiss the Bible. At nearly 2 a.m., they had Communion. At the conclusion of the Resurrection Liturgy, red Easter eggs, which symbolize the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, were distributed to the congregation.
Services have been held nearly every day during the Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday (palms were blessed) and progressing to a large crucifix that was carried out by the congregation Thursday and a Good Friday service that symbolized the burial of Christ.
Easter morning services include the Holy Gospel of the Resurrection read in several languages, emphasizing the universality of Christ's teaching of love and peace.
"Pascha is a feast for our hearts, a celebration for our souls," says Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America, in his Paschal Encyclical. "Today, repentance is embraced with grace and forgiveness. Hope overcomes despair. Heavenly joy replaces grief. Divine and assuring peace reigns over our inner struggles. Our hearts are renewed with the strength to continue the journey of liberation from sin and evil."
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