Happy Easter

This week is an important week for people in the village. The women that clean and cook our meals at the house even have work off from this past Thursday until Wednesday. Many people here genuinely celebrate their Orthodox rituals, which although they do seem somewhat bizarre to me, are clearly rooted in a deep faith for those who live here. Last night I joined the villagers in a procession in which the "empty tomb" of Christ was carried throughout the village between its churches followed by what must have been nearly a thousand people - from old men and women to young children - all carrying candles. In a few moments I will go to a midnight service in which the Priest will declare that Christ has risen, and the holy flame that he brings forth will be spread among the congregation, who will then use it to bless their homes. Tomorrow will be a day of celebration, as families join together in feasting, and I will spend the day with James's and Iullia's family, while they roast a lamb on a spit among other things. Being here has reminded me that while everyone's tradition for celebrating Christ's resurrection may be different, the fact is that tomorrow people all over the world will celebrate the gift bestowed upon man through that resurrection. I find that far to often I forget to thank God for that simple yet ultimate gift, and so I am glad to have such a cogent reminder of the fact. Happy Easter everyone!


Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 
Matthew 20:18-19

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 
Luke 23:33,34 

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
Luke 24:1-6

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 
Mark 16:9-14

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. 
Mark 16:19,20