The Katavasia of Pascha

Ode 1: It is the Day of Resurrection, /
let us be radiant, O ye people; /
Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: /
for from death to life, /
and from earth to heaven, /
Christ God hath brought us, //
as we sing the song of victory.
Ode 3: Come, let us drink a new drink, /
not one miraculously brought forth from [...]

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St. Benedict of Nursia’s Easter

From the Dialogues (Bk II Ch I) of Pope St. Gregory the Great:
But Benedict, desiring rather the miseries of the world than the praises of men: rather to be wearied with labor for God’s sake, than to be exalted with transitory commendation: fled privately from his nurse, and went into a desert place called Subiaco, [...]

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The Paschal Hours

This week, in place of the regular prayers of the daily office or standard morning and evening prayers, we pray the Paschal Hours.

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Christos a Inviat

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Christos Anesti II

(A little overproduced for my tastes–I prefer just the simple voice–but with its own beauty.)

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Christos Anesti!

(I cannot listen to this and not find my eyes filled with tears. Glory to God for the victory given us in his Son.)
Khristos anesti ek nekron,
Thanato thanaton patisas,
Kai tis en tis mnimasi
Zo-in kharisamenos.
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling down death by death
And upon those in the tombs
Bestowing life.

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The Bright Resurrection of Christ, the Pascha of the Lord

The Paschal Hymn
Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
The Paschal Hymn of the Theotokos
The Angel cried aloud to her who was full of grace: Rejoice, O pure Maiden, and again I say, Rejoice; thy Son hath risen the third day from the tomb. Shine, [...]

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Christos Voskrese

This is a marvelous Serbian video that I think captures the joy of Pascha (or Easter).
Christos Voskrese is “Christ is risen!”

[Thanks to Fr Stephen where there's a translation of the lyrics.]
Translation:
People rejoice, nations hear:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Stars dance, mounts sing:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Forests murmur, winds [...]

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Ain’t No Grave, Ya’ll

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Great and Holy Saturday

Troparia
The noble Joseph, taking thy most pure body down anointing it with sweet-smelling ointments, laid it in a new tomb.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
When thou didst go down into death, O Life Immortal, then didst thou destroy hell with the radiance of thy divinity. And when [...]

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