Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

2nd Sunday of Pascha – Saint Thomas Sunday

Troparion, tone 7: When the tomb was sealed, Thou, the Life, O Christ our God, didst rise up from the grave; and when the doors were closed, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand among the disciples, and through them renew a right spirit in us, according to Thy mercy.

Kontakion, tone 8: With his inquisitive right hand, Thomas probed Thy life-giving side, O Christ our God. For when Thou didst enter, the doors being shut, with the rest of the Apostles he cried to Thee: Thou art my Lord and my God.

MATINS

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (more…)

On Friday night the 24th of April the Easter Matins will be served in English at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. The service will start at 6pm.

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If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived therefor. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour. (more…)

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PASCHAL EPISTLE
of His Eminence Hilarion,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside of Russia

Right Reverend Brother and Fellow Pastors, Right Honorable Fathers,
Brethren and Sisters Beloved in the Lord,

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Today, in churches full to overflowing with throngs of people, songs of praise and thanksgiving are being offered up to God. Celebrating and rejoicing, we welcome the Savior’s triumphant Resurrection from the tomb with gladsome spiritual hymns. In the spirit of spiritual joy I hasten, through this epistle, to visit all of you and mystically to express to all the pious members of our Russian Church Abroad the paschal greeting.

“Truly He is risen!” I declare spiritually to you all the heartfelt Paschal greeting! (more…)

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ПАСХАЛЬНОЕ ПОСЛАНИЕ
Высокопреосвященнейшего
ИЛАРИОНА,
Митрополита Восточно-Американского и Нью-Йоркского,
Первоиерарха Русской Зарубежной Церкви.

Преосвященные собратья-архипастыри, досточтимые отцы,
возлюбленные о Господе братия и сестры,

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ!

Сегодня в церквах, переполненных множеством народа, воссылается благодарственное и хвалебное пение Богу. Празднуя и ликовствуя, мы встречаем радостными духовными гимнами победоносное Воскресение Спасителя из гроба. С чувством духовной радости спешу через сие послание посетить всех вас и мысленно выразить всей благочестивой Полноте нашей Русской Зарубежной Церкви – Пасхальное приветствие.

«Воистину Воскресе!» – душевно возглашаю всем вам и всем откликающимся на сердечные Пасхальные приветствия.

Да даст Господь Церкви Своей, в Свете Своего Восстания, мир, укрепление веры и возрастающую надежду на умножение любви!

Истоком этой необычайной радости, которую мы испытываем ныне, является сам факт Воскресения Христова – этого величайшего чуда в истории мира, рассеявшего мрак человеческой обреченности. Следует отметить, что внезапное и великое воодушевление в исповедании веры во Христа Воскресшего возникло в испуганных и подавленных распятием Спасителя Его учениках-апостолах. Они, а за ними и множество мучеников пошли на страдания и смерть за Христа Умершего и Воскресшего. Несмотря на страшные гонения и преследования, Первенствующая Христианская Церковь росла и укреплялась, ибо в глазах апостолов и их последователей был виден свет победы Добра и Жизни над злом и смертью. Это последнее психологическое обстоятельство убедительно и неоспоримо дает основание вере в Христа Воскресшего. (more…)

DIVINE LITURGY

Acts 1:1-8

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (more…)

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