Al Masseeh.. Qaam! Haqqan Qaam!

Maronites, as all Eastern Christians, greet one another all through the six weeks of Easter with “Christ is risen!” and the reply, “He is truly risen!”

“Today the Church and her children rejoice for our Lord and Savior has risen from the dead. The resurrection of the Lord is the central event of our salvation, the one that gives meaning to who we are and what we do. Every celebration of the Eucharist and the other mysteries refers to it as the source of inspiration and meaning.

The resurrection is the feast of feasts, the queen of all feasts. Originally the Church celebrated only one feast, the resurrection itself, which was recalled and renewed each Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Mysteries. Soon, however, it began to recall the Passover of the Lord and his victorious resurrection in a special way once a year, in addition to the weekly commemoration of the resurrection. Eventually this annual celebration of the Lord’s resurrection was prepared for by a season of prayer, fasting and penance – Lent, and the feast itself was extended for fifty days.

Today’s feast is one of joy and peace; the joy and peace that flow from the Lord’s resurrection are expressed today by the rite of peace which follows the gospel in the Divine Mysteries. The cross is removed from the tomb where it has rested since Great Friday and is draped in white. It is carried through the Church accompanied by hymns of praise and joy. The priest solemnly blesses the congregation with the glorious cross and then presents it to them that they might adore it.

By his living cross Christ has saved us from going astray and given us a way to heaven. Through the cross peace and harmony reign among God’s people and we are led to perfection. And so filled with peace and with joyful hearts we proclaim:

‘A glorious morning has dawned, and night has fled Light has conquered, and night has been destroyed.’

Season of the Glorious Resurrection: The Church celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord as the feast of feasts. After being plunged into the darkness of the crucifixion and death of Jesus we are now filled with the light of the resurrection. The cross which was the instrument of death has now become the glorious beacon which enlightens the world.

In order to express its joy the Church extends the celebration of the resurrection for a week of weeks, that is, for fifty days. The Sundays of the Season of Resurrection are as follows: Resurrection of the Lord- New Sunday: First Sunday of Resurrection- Second Sunday of Resurrection- Third Sunday of Resurrection- Fourth Sunday of Resurrection- Fifth Sunday of Resurrection- Sixth Sunday of Resurrection: Sunday after the Ascension- Pentecost.

The Season of Resurrection begins with the feast of the Resurrection and ends with the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. On the fortieth day of this season (the Thursday after the Fifth Sunday of Resurrection) the feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated.”
(From “Prayer of the Faithful According to the Maronite Liturgical Year”).