Daily Bread
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
“Indeed the mystery of Christ runs the risk of being disbelieved precisely because it is so incredibly wonderful.”
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Acts 2:22-36
IN THOSE DAYS, Peter said to the people, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.’
“Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
John 1:35-51
At that time, John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George
The Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, was a native of Cappadocia (a district in Asia Minor), and he grew up in a deeply believing Christian family. His father was martyred for Christ when George was still a child. His mother, owning lands in Palestine, moved there with her son and raised him in strict piety.
When he became a man, Saint George entered into the service of the Roman army. He was handsome, brave and valiant in battle, and he came to the notice of the emperor Diocletian (284-305) and joined the imperial guard with the rank of comites, or military commander.
Continue reading: Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George
Bright Week: A Radiant Beginning to the Orthodox Paschal Season
Source: https://orthochristiantools.com/
For Orthodox Christians, the joy of Pascha—also known as Easter—doesn’t conclude on Sunday. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Enter Bright Week (Greek: Διακαινήσιμος Εβδομάδα, Diakainisimos Evdomada)—an entire week dedicated to celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Spanning from Pascha Sunday to the Sunday of St. Thomas, Bright Week bursts forth as a spiritual springtime, renewing not just hearts, but the entire cosmos.
A Week Like No Other
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Bright Week is unlike any other time of the year. It is a liturgical and spiritual feast, where fasting is completely forbidden and joy is not only encouraged but expected. During this week, Orthodox faithful greet each other with the exclamation, “Christ is risen!”—to which the heartfelt response comes: “Indeed, He is risen!” or “Truly, He is risen!”
This exchange is more than ritual—it is a declaration that the world has changed. Christ has conquered death. The tomb is empty. Life has triumphed.
Symbolism and Liturgy: An Open Heaven
Throughout Bright Week, the Royal Doors of the iconostasis remain open during services. This is deeply symbolic: the open doors represent the open tomb of Christ and the torn veil of the Jewish temple. Heaven has been thrown wide open to humanity. Death has been shattered. The gates of paradise are no longer shut.
Liturgically, the entire week is treated as one continuous, radiant day. The hymns of Pascha are repeated with gladness, and the tone is unmistakably victorious. Every Orthodox Christian is invited to walk in this light and to dwell in the joy of the Resurrection.
“Bright” Doesn’t Mean Easy
C.S. Lewis once wrote in his sermon The Weight of Glory:
“Meanwhile the cross comes before the crown and tomorrow is a Monday morning… A cleft has opened in the pitiless walls of the world, and we are invited to follow our great Captain inside.”
This quote speaks to the strange, glorious tension of Bright Week. We celebrate victory, but we are still in the world—a world that often feels anything but “bright.” Still, we walk through Monday morning and beyond with the hope of the Resurrection burning in our hearts.
The women at the tomb were seized by trembling and astonishment (Mark 16). They said nothing at first because they were overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t be? Christ’s Resurrection is a world-shaking event—it is the end of the world’s rule over us and the beginning of His Kingdom breaking in.
Even Funerals in Light
Even the sorrow of death is transfigured during Bright Week. If a funeral is needed during this time, the service follows the joyous pattern of Paschal Matins, with only a few funeral hymns added. It is believed that Orthodox Christians who die in penitence during this week are especially blessed, released from their sins and embraced into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Conclusion: A Season, Not Just a Day
Just like Christmas, Easter is not merely a day—it is a season. Bright Week marks the thrilling kickoff to the 50 days of Pascha, culminating in Pentecost. It is a call to live in the light of the Resurrection, not only for one week, but every day.
So as you step into this world again—into your Mondays, your routines, your challenges—remember this:
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
Let your life echo the joy of the empty tomb, and may you follow the great Captain through the cleft in the pitiless wall of the world, into the freedom of eternal life.
This week’s calendar reminders:
Monday 4/21: Divine Liturgy w/procession 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday 4/22: no services or events
Wednesday 4/23: no services or events
Thursday 4/24: no services or events
Friday 4/25: no services or events
Saturday 4/26: Great Vespers 6 p.m.
Sunday 4/27: Thomas Sunday, Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m.
CLICK BELOW to donate online:
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church is located in Southbury, Connecticut, and is part of the New England Diocese of the Orthodox Church of America.
Mailing address: Christ the Savior Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488
PLEASE DONATE to help our parish do the work of the Lord, thrive and grow, and extend the Kingdom of God. May the Lord bless your generosity!
Fr. Moses Locke can be reached at frmoseslocke@gmail.com