How to Serve Pascha at Home

Fresco in Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, Constantinople

Holy Saturday
Late morning or early afternoon: Holy Saturday Reader's Vespers
Between the Epistle and Gospel reading (during "Arise, O God, and judge the earth..."), we change the church's colors from dark to bright, because Vespers liturgically transitions us into the next day...Pascha. At home, this is a great time to add white or bright decoration to the icon corner and to put up an icon of Pascha, if you have such.

For those who have taken on the struggle of the strict fast on Holy Friday till Vespers on Holy Saturday, the faithful partake of a little bread and wine after Vespers, along with some figs or dates (which could translate to dried fruit and nuts today).

Reading the Acts of the Apostles:
Following Vespers (which normally would have been a Vesperal Liturgy), the faithful would remain in church listening to the reading of the book of the Acts of the Apostles till time for the Paschal services. The reading of Acts is one part of Holy Week that we could easily keep at home. In my home, we will be preparing food and clothes and decorations for Pascha, but take shifts reading Acts at the icon corner.

Just before midnight: Paschal Midnight Office
This usually starts at 11:30pm to give us time to finish before midnight, when we would start the procession. At midnight, light a main Paschal candle at your icon corner. Then, while singing "Thy resurrection, O Christ our Savior...", light each person's candle. Continuing the hymn, process around the house three times.

Great and Holy Pascha
Midnight: The Paschal Matins Canon
The Paschal Canon is the core of Pascha. This is where we hear all those hymns that we think of as Pascha. It also includes the beautiful and unforgettable Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom. If you can do nothing else to celebrate Pascha, pray through this service.

 After Paschal Matins: Paschal Hours & Typika

 Paschal Feast:
When finished, it is time for the feast! The OCA uploaded a simple Prayers at Table. Or, if you downloaded the Paschal Home Feast, you can follow the prayers included there. So, bless your baskets and food, and feast in the glorious joy of Christ's Resurrection. In this time of isolation, calling others for a brief, "Christ is risen!" would be a great idea, especially those you know are alone in this season.

 Agape Vespers:
Don't forget the Sunday afternoon Agape Vespers, where we sing/pray through the Paschal Canon again. This is where many parishes will read the Gospel passage (John 20:19-25) about the belief of Thomas in multiple languages; if you have the ability, proclaim the Gospel in many tongues!

Bright Week
The Paschal Hours:
"Throughout Bright Week [the Paschal Hours] service is used in place of the Morning Prayers and the Prayers before Sleep" (Orthodox Christian Prayers prayer book, p.269). If you have been replacing Vespers at church with Small Compline at home, this would also be used to replace Compline. The struggle of Lent is over and this bright and holy time calls for this short and joyous service.

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