Understanding Resurrection
Who is described as the "firstborn from the dead" in the Holy Book of Revelation?
Jesus
Who first witnessed Jesus post-resurrection according to the Apostolic Constitutions?
"When he was raised from the dead, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James. He then appeared to Cleopas on the way. After that, He appeared to His disciples" (Apostolic Constitutions compiled c. 390).
When do we read the Synaxarium during the 50 days?
The Synaxarium reading is skipped, as well as the audible mention of the names of those who departed after the Commemoration of the Saints in liturgy, as they focus on death while the church is instead focusing is on the Resurrected Christ.
The Hymn of the Intercession verses:
Through the intercession of the trumpeter of the Resurrection, Michael, the head of the heavenlies:
O'Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins.
Through the prayers of the two righteous perfect
men, Joseph and Nicodemus, and Saint Mary
Magdalene: O'Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our
sins.
The hymn “All you heavenly hosts…” is chanted when ?
after the Acts reading, as the church calls on the angels to open the gates of Paradise so that Christ may enter with those who were in Hades
How is Jesus uniquely different from others who were raised from the dead according to the scriptures?
Resurrected by his own Power, He was not raised by the prophets like Elijah and Elisha, but rather is and remains, the only person raised from the dead by the power of His Divinity
Which book of the Bible discusses Christ's soul not being left in Hades?
"he [David], foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ that His soul was not left in Hades, not did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses"
Acts
There are many feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Church. But the Resurrection holds the title of
Feast of Feasts
Holy Fathers called it various names. For example, Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD) called it "the paschal feast."
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 AD) called it the "holy day of salvation."
Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian (323-389 AD) called it "the queen of days, the feast of feasts, and the solemnity of solemnities."
What is the Gospel Response?
And He was placed in the tomb, according to the prophetic voices, on the third day, Christ rose from the dead.
Alleluia(4x) Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, rose from the dead.
This is He to whom is due glory: with His Good Father, and the Holy Spirit: from now and forever.
The hymn “Christ is Risen” is chanted as the Icon of the resurrected Christ enters the altar from outside along with the deacons. How many rounds do we circle the altar and what does it represent?
They circle the altar 3 times with the icon, representing the angels and those who were in Hades entering Paradise with Christ.
How do we understand Adam vs Christ?
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive"
just as in Adam, we have all inherited corruption, alienation from God, and ultimately death, in Christ Jesus, we are rendered incorrupt, our relationship with God is restored, and we are given life anew.
What feast is:
"“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8) " Describe what happened?
The feast of Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit. As Christ ascended into heaven He tells His disciples not to fear because He will send down the Holy Spirit as their Comforter. Thus the Holy Spirit descended on the holy and pure apostles in the form of tongues of fire.
It is with the power of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, that the disciples were able to go throughout the earth and bring the people to Him. Likewise, it is with the Holy Spirit that we too are given strength to continue renewing our spiritual lives and serve everyone in the world around us.
In which liturgy is the phrase "He loved His own who were in the world and, as a ransom on our behalf, gave Himself up unto death, which reigned over us, whereby we were bound and sold on account of our sins.” found?
Liturgy of St Basil – Coptic Orthodox Rite
Psalm Response:
Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, rose from the dead, on the third day. Alleluia, Alleluia.
the procession continues around the whole church how many times, and representing what?
3 times, representing Christ remaining on Earth for 40 days along with the sighting of others who also rose from the dead.
Describe the form of Jesus’s body post-resurrection according to early Christian teachings.
Jesus’s body was glorified and spiritual, yet physical.
Which feast is solemnly celebrated by the Copts on the fifth Thursday after Easter Sunday, that is, the fortieth day after Christ's Resurrection.
The Holy Ascension
ascension of Christ to heaven from the Mount of Olives
How does St. Cyril of Alexandria describe Christ's defeat of death?
By his ineffable power he trampled upon death in his own flesh that he might become the firstborn from the dead and the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Even if the resurrection of the dead may be said to be through a man, the man we know it is through is the Word begotten of God. The power of death has been destroyed through him.
Recite Christ is risen hymn, in how many ways do we sing it?
Christ is Risen (minor) and (major)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling
down death by death, and upon those in
the tombs bestowing life.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the
ages of the ages Amen.
All of the deacons enter the altar to complete the procession with a final circle around the altar, representing what?
Christ taking them along with Him back into Paradise.
Why do we celebrate the glorious days of the resurrection for 50 days exactly???
they are grouped into a period called the ‘Holy 50’ because Christ spent 40 days with his disciples after He resurrected (Acts 1:3) teaching them about the things that pertain to the kingdom of God. Then from days 40-49 spans the period of The Feast of Ascension (Acts 1:9). Then, the last day, day 50, is the day of the Feast of Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the upper room of St. Mark’s house as recorded in Acts 2:1-31.
What does Colossians 3:4 say about our appearance with Christ?
"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in Glory"
So during this period of the glorious days of the resurrection, lets remember what we chant the anthem of Orthodoxy for 50 straight days
“Chris is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”
In the 4th verse of that hymn (all you heavenly), we say He led Hades captive and crushed the brass doors. He utterly broke the bars of iron and, for us, exchanged punishment for salvation. Where is this taken from?
This is taken from Psalm 107 which is another prophecy of Christ descending into Hades and freeing those who were captive.
It says in verses 14-16:
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two.
For the Pentecost, when is the procession done during the divine liturgy?
- A procession is done during Matins after the priest prays, "O God have mercy..."
- There is no procession during the divine liturgy as Christ has already ascended into heaven.