Khrystos Voskres! Christ is Risen!
Today we are discussing Bright Week, the “one joyous day” that begins Easter Morning and ends on Saturday. If you are looking to read about Easter Sunday (including what to put in your Easter Basket), check out our previous years’ article here.
Bright Week is one joyous day in our Byzantine Churches. Christ our true Light has triumphed over the darkness of death. Things are really looking bright for humanity! Even the Royal doors are left open throughout the week, as if the Divine Liturgy has not ended. There are layers of meaning to this symbolic acts. With Christ’s resurrection, He has restored our relationship and unity with God, and the separation that was there before has faded away. The doors to Heaven are open. And this gift that lost to us by Adam and Eve has been restored a thousandfold by Christ and the Theotokos. God is not hidden behind a temple veil. He is among us!
We use the Pascal Divine Liturgy every day during this week, keeping almost everything exactly the same. What does change out is the prokeimenon, the alleluia verses, and the Bible readings.
Bright Week Prayers
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life!
Kontakion, in Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One, You destroyed the power of Hades. And You rose as the victor O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women “Rejoice!” And giving peace to Your Apostles, O You who grant resurrection to the fallen.
Instead of Trisagion (Holy God): All you who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia!
*Instead of “It is Truly Right” we sing: The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O Chaste Virgin rejoice! Again I say to you Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead! Let all people rejoice! Shine shine O New Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult and be glad Zion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son!
*We use this replacement throughout the entire Easter season, and not just in Bright Week.
Prokeimenons:
Prokeimenon for Sunday, in Tone 8: This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, and be glad!
Prokeimenon for Monday, in Tone 8: Their utterance has gone forth unto all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Prokeimenon for Tuesday, in Tone 3: My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Prokeimenon for Wednesday, in Tone 4: I will remember Your name through all generations.
Prokeimenon for Thursday, in Tone 3: Sing to our God, sing. O sing to our King, sing.
Prokeimenon for Friday, in Tone 8: Their utterance has gone forth unto all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Prokeimenon for Saturday, in Tone 3: The Lord is my Light, and my Saviour. Whom shall I fear?
Celebrating Bright Week at Home
So what are some ways we can take the meaning of Bright Week home? Let’s start in our icon corner. If it is possible, leave the light on in the room with your icon corner all throughout Bright Week, starting at the end of Easter Vigil/Pascua Divine Liturgy. Otherwise, get a lamp or a battery operated light that you can leave on in your icon corner. This light will remind us of the open Royal Doors at our church. And of Christ our light, risen from the dead.
Put icons of the Resurrection throughout your home! Move an icon of the Resurrection to your dining table! Print images of the Resurrection and tape it to your doors. Make sure there is no where in your house that you can forget the joy that is Easter!
When you run into a family member, greet them with a resounding Christ is Risen! Make sure this is the first thing you say to your family in the morning, and the last thing before going to bed.
Celebrating Bright Week With Kids
Start growing a plant with your kids. It could be something simple, like a bean or dandelion, or a flower from a store. Even a toddler can help with watering the plant. Tell your children that spring is a time for new life, and that we get our new life from Christ. And it is our job the share this life with the world. First we start small, like this plant, but God can help us grow to greater things than even we can imagine! All we need is a little water (Baptism), light (the truth/God), and food (the Eucharist).
Have them colour an icon of the Ressurection. Or even try painting!
Read the resurrection accounts from all the Gospels, because you can never hear the good news too many times! Also, see if you can find any picture book adaptations to give a visual.
Share what the Resurrection means to you with your children. This could be the most important thing you tell your kids this week. It is essential for us as parents to give our children a strong example of our faith. And if we don’t share what it means to us, then they may never know.
And there are many more ways to celebrate Bright Week! Read my article, celebrating Easter throughout the whole Pascua Season, for instance, because it has other ideas to celebrate the entirety of Pascua!
The Byzantine Life
Thank you for reading this week’s article. Happy Easter and God bless!
Check out our article on Holy Week here, or our article about Easter Sunday here. Next, make sure to take a look at our Easter Season article mentioned above. Finally, get ready for the feast of Pentecost!
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