Dear son, sweeter than Spring...

"Behold the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world."

In Eternity, Jesus will bear the marks
of his crucifixion
Revelation 5:6

At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.

While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.

With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.

Ever patient in her yearning
Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.

Who, that sorrow contemplating,
On that passion meditating,
Would not share the Virgin's grief?

Christ she saw, for our salvation,
Scourged with cruel acclamation,
Bruised and beaten by the rod.

Christ she saw with life-blood failing,
All her anguish unavailing,
Saw him breathe his very last.

Mary, fount of love's devotion,
Let me share with true emotion
All the sorrow you endured.

Virgin, ever interceding,
Hear me in my fervent pleading:
Fire me with your love of Christ.

Mother, may this prayer be granted:
That Christ's love may be implanted
In the depths of my poor soul.

At the cross, your sorrow sharing,
All your grief and torment bearing,
Let me stand and mourn with you.

Fairest maid of all creation,
Queen of hope and consolation,
Let me feel your grief sublime.

Virgin, in your love befriend me,
At the Judgement Day defend me.
Help me by your constant prayer.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awe-full judgement day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.

While my body here decays
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally.
Amen.
Alleluia.

Lamb of God

Glory be to God on high,
and on earth peace to men of
goodwill. We praise Thee;
we bless Thee; we adore Thee;
we glorify Thee. We give Thee
thanks for Thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly king,
God the Father Almighty,
O Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son.
O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father,
Who takest away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Who takest away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer.
Who sittest at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us. For Thou
alone art holy; Thou alone
art the Lord; Thou alone,
O Jesus Christ, together with
the Holy Ghost, art most high
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The angel said to the women,
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
~ Matthew 28:5-6 ~

Easter in Greece
[Pascha (Pass-ha)]

Greek Spring brings one of the biggest feasts of
Christianity, the Holy Easter, which begins with the
Passion Week. During this week, every evening we go to
church where we live day by day the sanctuary suffering
of Jesus Christ. His arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, the
descent of Christ from the cross and His glorious rising.
All the week we fast and Holy Friday, the day Jesus died, we
eat lentil putting some vinegar in it. On Holy Thursday we paint

the Easter eggs with many colors (my mother makes beautiful
hand-painted eggs decorating them with traditional designs,
for the family and friends, to enjoy). We make traditional bread,
delicious buns and cakes, tasty rolls. The children get new pretty
clothes and their beautiful wax candle decorating with angels, bows
and colorful ribbons.

On Holy Saturday, after the midnight Mass, we leave the church
carrying lit candles, bringing the Holy light at home. The festal
table includes Magiritsa (soup with lamb entrails), roasted meat,
eggs, fresh salads and more.

On Sunday, the families, their relatives and friends, come together
to celebrate Easter. The popular and traditional Easter food is a
baby lamb in a roasting-spit, placed on burning charcoals out in the backyard (this time the weather is already warm in Greece), which
is roasted slowly, slowly. Around the family and the guests are
enjoying themselves, listening popular music, teasing each other, having pleasant talks. The Easter menu includes many tasty
dishes, salads, appetizers, fine wines, color-painted eggs, etc.
This day and during the next 50 days, when we toast or salute, we
are used to say: "Christ has risen" and get the answer: "He has risen, indeed"

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