Description

Christ's Holy Resurrection / Harrowing of Hades (The Icon of Pascha)

For Orthodox Christians, Holy Week serves as a profound period of theological education, with each day offering unique spiritual lessons beyond what can be learned from books. The hymns, prayers, and scripture readings of the Church provide a continuous commentary on the Bible, guiding the faithful through the narrative of Christ's salvation. By attending these services with an open and attentive heart, Orthodox Christians engage in a deep form of liturgical education and discipleship training, truly experiencing a spiritual workout that enriches their understanding of faith.

The author notes a personal shift in focus over time. Initially, the Pascha/Easter service, celebrating Christ's resurrection, was the primary highlight. However, as the author began attending other services, a deeper appreciation for their distinct perspectives on Christ's redemptive work emerged. Specifically, the Holy Saturday morning Liturgy revealed a previously overlooked yet crucial aspect of Christ's journey: His descent into Hell. This theme, confessed in the Apostles' Creed, moved from a "curious aberration" to a "hidden gem" of early Christian theology.

The concept of Christ's descent into Hell is extensively explored in the Holy Saturday Liturgy, even though it's not explicitly mentioned in the Nicene Creed used by the Orthodox Church. This service addresses the question of what happened to Christ's soul after His body was laid in the tomb. Through powerful hymns, such as those found in the Holy Week prayer book, the Church vividly describes Hades groaning as Christ shatters its gates, loosens its power, and raises up the souls it held captive.

These hymns highlight a key theological understanding for Orthodox Christians: Hell is not primarily a place of fearful torment, but rather a battlefield where Christ, the ultimate Hero, triumphs over Death itself. The imagery portrays Hades' authority dissolving as Christ, though received as a mortal, proves impossible to contain, ultimately releasing those it had ruled for ages. This victory is a central theme, emphasizing Christ's power to clear tombs and dismantle the dominion of Death.

The celebration of this triumph is beautifully symbolized in Orthodox tradition on Holy Saturday morning. Priests scatter rose petals and flowers, creating a "joyous mess" on the church floor, signifying Christ's victory over Death and the liberation from Hell. This imagery sets the stage for the resounding shouts of "Christ is Risen!" and "Truly He is Risen!" that will soon fill the church during the Pascha/Easter service, reinforcing the profound joy and hope that underpin Orthodox Christianity.

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Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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