50 Days of Light
This is the Greek name for the period of 50 days between Pascha and Pentecost.
What is the Pentecostarion?
We sing "As many as have been baptized into Christ..." instead of the Trisagion (Holy God...) on these three days of the Paschal cycle.
What are Lazarus Saturday, Holy Saturday, and Pascha?
This is the only weekday during Great Lent when the "Full" Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is permitted (outside of a major feast).
What is the Annunciation?
In the icon of the Resurrection, Christ is shown trampling these, which are often depicted as broken metal objects in a dark pit.
What are the Gates of Hades (or the Gates of Brass)?
During the Royal Hours of Holy Friday, this Old Testament book is read because of its "Suffering Servant" prophecies.
What is the Book of Isaiah?
We move from the Triodion to the Pentecostarion specifically during the middle of this service.
What is Midnight Office (Nocturns) on Pascha night?
This famous Paschal canon was written by this "Golden-tongued" Saint of Damascus.
Who is St. John of Damascus?
While most Lenten Sundays celebrate saints, the 1st Sunday celebrates this historical 9th-century event ending Iconoclasm.
What is the Triumph of Orthodoxy?
During the Paschal Liturgy, the Gospel of John is read starting at Chapter 1, Verse 1, primarily to emphasize this specific doctrine about Christ.
What is His Divinity (The Logos/Pre-eternal Word)?
On Holy Thursday, the Bishop may perform this specific rite, mimicking Christ's actions toward the Apostles in the Upper Room.
What is the Washing of the Feet?
On the 4th Wednesday after Pascha, we celebrate this feast which marks the exact halfway point to Pentecost
What is Mid-Feast?
The hymn "Noble Joseph," which describes the taking down of Christ from the Cross, is first sung during the Vespers of this day.
What is Holy Friday?
On the Thursday of the 5th Week, we chant the entire Great Canon of St. Andrew, along with the life of this saint read in two parts.
Who is St. Mary of Egypt?
The "Harrowing of Hades" occurred during this specific timeframe in the Creed.
What is "He descended into hell"?
At the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday, the church changes from dark to light vestments specifically during the chanting of this Psalm verse.
What is "Arise, O God, judge the earth"?
During the Paschal season, the "Prayer to the Holy Spirit" (O Heavenly King) is not said or sung until this day.
What is Pentecost?
Finish this Paschal verse: "This is the day which the Lord hath made..."
What is "...let us rejoice and be glad in it."
This specific liturgical book contains all the hymns and services used from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee until Holy Saturday.
What is the Lenten Triodion?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites marked their doors with blood; in the New Pascha, this object is called the "New Door" through which we pass from death to life.
What is the Tomb of Christ?
This hymn, replaced by "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" on Holy Saturday, is the standard entrance hymn of the Great Entrance.
What is the Cherubic Hymn?
This Sunday, the 5th after Pascha, features a Gospel dialogue that is the longest recorded conversation between Jesus and any single person.
Who is the Samaritan Woman (St. Photini)?
This term refers to the "return" or "conclusion" of a feast (like Pascha) 40 days later, celebrated with the same hymns as the feast day itself.
What is the or Leave-taking?
Great Lent technically ends on the Friday before this feast, which serves as a "bridge" to Holy Week.
What is Lazarus Saturday?
This 1st-century Saint and Bishop of Antioch was the first to use the term "Eucharist" and wrote extensively about the "Lord's Day" replacing the Sabbath.
Who is St. Ignatius of Antioch?
The "Bridegroom" services of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights are actually the service of this liturgical hour, "served by anticipation."
What is Matins?