Blessed Easter!

Discussion in 'Feasts, Fasts, and Church Calendar' started by Old Christendom, Mar 30, 2013.

  1. Old Christendom

    Old Christendom Well-Known Member

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    Today's Black Saturday and we're all waiting in joyful expectation for the resurrection of the Lord. I take this opportunity to wish everyone at Anglican Forums and their families a blessed Easter! May the love of God abide in you, friends.

    Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
    Let me hide myself in Thee;
    Let the water and the blood,
    From Thy wounded side which flowed,
    Be of sin the double cure,
    Save from wrath and make me pure.

    Not the labor of my hands
    Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
    Could my zeal no respite know,
    Could my tears forever flow,
    All for sin could not atone;
    Thou must save, and Thou alone.

    Nothing in my hand I bring,
    Simply to Thy cross I cling;
    Naked, come to Thee for dress;
    Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
    Foul, I to the fountain fly;
    Wash me, Savior, or I die.

    While I draw this fleeting breath,
    When my eyes shall close in death,
    When I rise to worlds unknown,
    And behold Thee on Thy throne,
    Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
    Let me hide myself in Thee.

    ~ Augustus Montague Toplady (1740–1778), vicar of Broadhembury.
     
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  2. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Though liturgically we await the blessed Promise to be fulfilled, today still marks the 1 980th year after Christ's true, bodily Resurrection. Thus we can, with confidence, say: CHRIST IS RISEN. Alleluia.



    Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
    Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
    Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
    Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

    In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom men had slain,
    Thinking that never He would wake again,
    Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
    Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

    Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
    He that for three days in the grave had lain;
    Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
    Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

    When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
    Thy touch can call us back to life again;
    Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
    Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

    The Harrowing of Hell is taking place even as we speak. Death is trampled down by Death. Christ takes Captivity captive.


    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    The bell has struck 4 PM for our English brethren, so let your rejoicing begin with one of the first great early Anglican composers:



    Christ rising from the dead now dieth not;
    death from henceforth hath no power upon him.
    For in that he died, he died but once to put away sin,
    but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
    And so likewise count yourselves dead unto sin,
    but living unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Alleluia!

    Christ is risen again, the first-fruits of them that sleep.
    For seeing that by man came death,
    By man also cometh the resurrection of the dead.
    For as by Adam all men do die,
    So by Christ all men shall be restored to life. Alleluia!
     
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  4. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Charles Wood's arrangement of the carol "This Joyful Eastertide":



    This joyful Eastertide,
    Away with sin and sorrow!
    My Love, the Crucified,
    Hath sprung to life this morrow.

    Had Christ, that once was slain,
    Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
    Our faith had been in vain:
    But now hath Christ arisen,
    arisen, arisen, arisen.

    My flesh in hope shall rest,
    And for a season slumber:
    Till trump from east to west
    Shall wake the dead in number.

    Had Christ, that once was slain,
    Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
    Our faith had been in vain:
    But now hath Christ arisen,
    arisen, arisen, arisen.

    Death's flood hath lost his chill,
    Since Jesus cross'd the river
    Lover of souls, from ill
    My passing soul deliver.

    Had Christ, that once was slain,
    Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
    Our faith had been in vain:
    But now hath Christ arisen,
    arisen, arisen, arisen.
     
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  5. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    And from our American cousins, a glorious anthem by William Billings:



    The Lord is ris'n indeed,
    Hallelujah.
    Now is Christ risen from the dead,
    and become the first fruits of them that slept.
    Hallelujah.
    And did He rise?
    Hear, O ye nations, hear it, O ye dead.
    He rose, He burst the bars of death,
    He burst the bars of death and triumph'd o'er the grave.
    Then I rose,
    then first humanity triumphant passed the crystal ports of light,
    and seiz'd eternal youth.
    Man, all immortal hail, hail,
    Heaven, all lavish of strange gifts to man,
    Thine's all the glory, man's the boundless bliss.
     
  6. UK Anglican

    UK Anglican Member

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    I would like to say as above a Happy Easter to everyone.
     
  7. Old Christendom

    Old Christendom Well-Known Member

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    Christ the Lord is Risen Today



    Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
    Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
    Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
    Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

    Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
    Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
    Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
    Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

    Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
    Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
    Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
    Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

    Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
    Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
    Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
    Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

    Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
    Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
    Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
    Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

    Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
    Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
    Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
    Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

    King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
    Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
    Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
    Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

    Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
    Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
    Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
    Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

    But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
    Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
    Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
    Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

    Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
    Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
    Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
    Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
     
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  8. Mercy

    Mercy Member

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    Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!
     
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  9. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Christ is risen, my sisters! :)



    WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN
    TO RECEIVE POWER AND RICHES AND WISDOM AND STRENGTH
    AND HONOUR AND GLORY AND BLESSING.

    BLESSING AND HONOUR AND GLORY AND POWER
    BE UNTO HIM THAT SITTETH UPON THE THRONE
    AND UNTO THE LAMB
    FOREVER AND EVER.
    AMEN.
     
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  10. Mercy

    Mercy Member

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    Truly He is risen! Alleluia!
     
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  11. luke

    luke Member

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    I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter , we actually Missed Church today, every other day of my holidays my kids have been up at 5am , today they slept in until 9am , i really should of set my alarm clock :(
     
  12. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    But the Lord is merciful! - and remember that our true sacrifice of praise, worship, thanksgiving, and glory to God is in the heart, not primarily in temples made by human hands... :) so Brother, rise up with Christ and rejoice in His love before condemning yourself.
     
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  13. Incense

    Incense Active Member

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    Christ Is Risen!
    What a beautiful wonderful day! I am so so so happy! God is so good to us! Beyond what I imagine I think!

    A small sharing, one of my favourite Easter Homilies:
    [​IMG]re there any who are devout lovers of God?​


    Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

    Are there any who are grateful servants?
    Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

    Are there any weary with fasting?
    Let them now receive their wages!

    If any have toiled from the first hour,
    let them receive their due reward;
    If any have come after the third hour,
    let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
    And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
    let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
    And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
    let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
    And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
    let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
    For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
    He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
    as well as to him that toiled from the first.

    To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
    He accepts the works as He greets the endeavour.
    The deed He honours and the intention He commends.
    Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

    First and last alike receive your reward;
    rich and poor, rejoice together!
    Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
    You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
    rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

    Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
    Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
    Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

    Let no one grieve at his poverty,
    for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

    Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
    for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

    Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Saviour has set us free.
    He has destroyed it by enduring it.
    He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
    He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

    Isaiah foretold this when he said,
    "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
    Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
    It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
    It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
    It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
    It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

    Hell took a body, and discovered God.
    It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
    It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

    O death, where is thy sting?
    O Hell, where is thy victory?

    Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
    Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
    Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
    Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

    Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
    for Christ having risen from the dead,
    is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

    To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!


    The Easter sermon of John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)
     
  14. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    I'm so happy that you gave us Chrysostom's Paschal Homily, Incense! In my opinion no priests or ministers should ever give their own homilies on this solemn day, but should prefer that one. It captures everything that we celebrate and rejoice in! :)

    Christ is Risen - Alleluia. He has trampled Death by death, and rose that we may Rise. Adam & Eve are rescued, the prophets are vindicated, the Deceiver was deceived, and the Accuser is accused.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Friends,

    Rejoice in our Great Victory! Please post videos or quotes affirming the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.

    Hear the words of St. John Chrysostom on why we ought to believe in this holy and solemn Truth today:

    Homily 85 on the Gospel of St. John

    “The first day of the week” (that is, the Lord’s day) “cometh Mary Magdalene, very early in the morning, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.”

    For He arose while both stone and seals lay over Him; but because it was necessary that others should be fully satisfied, the tomb was opened after the Resurrection, and thus what had come to pass was confirmed. This then was what moved Mary. For being entirely full of loving affection towards her Master, when the Sabbath was past, she could not bear to rest, but came very early in the morning, desiring to find some consolation from the place. But when she saw the place, and the stone taken away, she neither entered in nor stooped down, but ran to the disciples, in the greatness of her longing; for this was what she earnestly desired, she wished very speedily to learn what had become of the body. This was the meaning of her running, and her words declare it.
    “They have taken away,” she saith, “my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.”

    Seest thou how she knew not as yet anything clearly concerning the Resurrection, but thought there had been a removal of the body, and tells all simply to the disciples? And the Evangelist hath not deprived the woman of such a praise, nor thought it shame that they should have learnt these things first from her who had passed the night in watching. Thus everywhere doth the truth-loving nature of his disposition shine forth. When then she came and said these things, they hearing them, draw near with great eagerness to the sepulcher, and see the linen clothes lying, which was a sign of the Resurrection. For neither, if any persons had removed the body, would they before doing so have stripped it; nor if any had stolen it, would they have taken the trouble to remove the napkin, and roll it up, and lay it in a place by itself; but how? they would have taken the body as it was. On this account John tells us by anticipation that it was buried with much myrrh, which glues linen to the body not less firmly than lead; in order that when thou hearest that the napkins lay apart, thou mayest not endure those who say that He was stolen. For a thief would not have been so foolish as to spend so much trouble on a superfluous matter. For why should he undo the clothes? and how could he have escaped detection if he had done so? since he would probably have spent much time in so doing, and be found out by delaying and loitering. But why do the clothes lie apart, while the napkin was wrapped together by itself? That thou mayest learn that it was not the action of men in confusion or haste, the placing some in one place, some in another, and the wrapping them together. From this they believed in the Resurrection. On this account Christ afterwards appeared to them, when they were convinced by what they had seen. Observe too here again the absence of boastfulness in the Evangelist, how he witnesses to the exactness of Peter’s search. For he himself having gotten before Peter, and having seen the linen clothes, enquired not farther, but withdrew; but that fervent one passing farther in, looked at everything carefully, and saw somewhat more, and then the other too was summoned to the sight. For he entering after Peter, saw the grave-clothes lying, and separate. Now to separate, and to place one thing by itself, and another, after rolling it up, by itself, was the act of some one doing things carefully, and not in a chance way, as if disturbed.
     
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  16. Toma

    Toma Well-Known Member Anglican

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    N.T. Wright, former Bishop of Durham:

    Did Jesus really Rise from the Dead?

     
  17. Old Christendom

    Old Christendom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for sharing!

    Have a blessed Easter!
     
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  18. anglican74

    anglican74 Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Truly he is risen!
     
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  19. Stalwart

    Stalwart Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Happy easter! :)
     
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  20. Scottish Knight

    Scottish Knight Well-Known Member

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    On the third day the friends of Christ coming at daybreak to the place found the grave empty and the stone rolled away. In varying ways they realized the new wonder; but even they hardly realized that the world had died in the night. What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and in a semblance of the gardener God walked again in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but of the dawn. - (the everlasting man, Chesterton)
     
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