Sunday Times 2
Easter carol service
View(s):Easter is the fundamental and most important festival of the Eastern and Orthodox Churches. Every other religious festival in the Christian calendar, including Christmas, is secondary in importance to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is reflected in rich Paschal customs in the cultures of countries that have traditionally had an Orthodox Christian majority.
This is not to say that Christmas and other elements of the Christian liturgical calendar are ignored. Instead, these events are all seen as necessary but preliminary to, and illuminated by, the full climax of the Resurrection, in which all that has come before reaches fulfillment and fruition. They shine only in the light of the Resurrection. Easter is the primary act that fulfills the purpose of Christ’s ministry on earth-to defeat death by dying and to purify and exalt humanity by voluntarily assuming and overcoming human frailty.
Preparation for Easter begins with the season of the Great Lent. In addition to fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, Orthodox Christians cut down on all entertainment and non-essential worldly activities, gradually eliminating them until Good Friday, the most austere day of the year. Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.
In celebration of this most important Feast for all Christians An Easter Carol Service by the Choir of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, Colombo 3 will be held on Easter Sunday, March 27 at 6 p.m at the Church. This service comprises Easter Lessons and Carols with Procession. It brings together many traditional elements of Christian worship in celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. Through readings from the Bible and other sources, carols and congregational hymns, the service recalls the prophecies and the events leading up to and following the resurrection, and concludes by looking forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The choir is under the direction of Dr. Lalith Perera and at the organ will be Denham Pereira. All are welcome.