The Paschal Season

Bright Week

Following the opening exclamation and bow to the Bishop, the Priest takes up the censer and begins the triple chanting of the Paschal Apolytikion, followed by the verses around the Holy Table in the usual manner. After censing the Prothesis Table, he exits the Altar through the Royal Doors and descends the steps to the solea, taking a position that is level with, or lower than, the Bishop. He asks the Bishop’s blessing on the incense, and then censes him three times. After censing the Icons and the west of the Church, he censes the Bishop nine times (three sets of three), the people, and the Bishop again nine times. He completes the censing in the usual manner, bows to the Bishop, and enters the Altar through the Royal Doors.

 

From Thomas Sunday thru the Ascension

Following the opening exclamation and bow to the Bishop, the Priest takes up the censer and begins the triple chanting of the Paschal Apolytikion.

 

Triple Chanting of the Paschal Apolytikion

In all cases, the Priest chants the apolytikion once and the people chant it twice. The Priest censes the front of the Holy Table during that time. For the service of Vespers, the Pascal Apolytikion replaces “O come, let us worship…” For the services of Orthros and the Elevation to the Dignity of Father Confessor, the Pascal Apolytikion replaces the triple recitation of “Holy God, Holy Mighty…” For the Divine Liturgy, the Pascal Apolytikion is inserted immediately before the Great Ektenia.

 

Following the Dismissal

Following the dismissal and Ton dhespotin …” the Bishop leads the Paschal Ending as follows:

 

Bishop:       Christ is Risen! (Thrice)

 

People:       Truly, He is Risen! (Thrice)

 

Bishop:       Glory to His Holy third-day Resurrection!

 

People:       We worship His Holy third-day Resurrection!

 

Bishop:       Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and up on those in the tombs…

 

People:       …bestowing life.