Everyone is welcome to join us at 10.00am for the service of Great Holy Saturday Morning
"Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth..."
(The service is Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saturday evening sung by anticipation, on Saturday morning.)
Psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung which tell of Christ's descent into Hades. "Today Hades cried out groaning" is the hymn's description of the resurrection of Adam and the conquering of death. Thus this day's celebration is called "First Resurrection." Most of the readings of this day are from the Old Testament on the prophecies and promise of the conquering of death. On this day, the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is officiated. Apostle Paul exhorts the faithful: "We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism unto death, so we, too, might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8432