Holy Thursday 12 Gospels.
A lot of tears for my +Aunt Karen that service.
I got this on Holy Thursday, the day my +Aunt Karen died, from our church kiosk, a beautiful wooden prayer rope. I am not a "superstar prayer" but I found this prayer rope comforting to hold in my hand and squeeze, as if I was holding my Husband's hand.
It's going to be hard for me not to have him with me at my Aunt Karen's funeral,
but he honestly can't go because of being neck-deep at work.
But I will travel DV on Monday with this prayer rope nearby.
The prayer rope is from the Sisters at the St Elizabeth Convent in Minsk Belarus and it is nice
to have something from them so nearby to myself.
Procession and entry into the the tomb.
Holy Saturday and the Feast of the Annunciation.
It was a blessing to hear the Gospel for the Theotokos/Virgin Mary and St Elizabeth
Mother of St John the Baptist; this Saint Elizabeth is my patron name Saint.
St Elizabeth the New Martyr; her name's Saint is
St Elizabeth the Mother of St John the Baptist.
Holy Saturday Bread after the longest liturgy of the year.
Some treats for church kids. This is a hard Pascha for me. I am excited for Pascha, grieving my +Aunt Karen, grieving that I will miss pretty much all of Bright week with my Husband, glad to have family to grieve, love and visit, and other "unbloggable" things that are weighing heavy on my heart. Yet so glad that our Lord loves us so much that He came down to be with us, die for us and in His Resurrection give us eternal life to live forever with Him and in His love.
Almost forgot the whiskey that we got for Christmas!
Now our basket is complete, with 2 bags of cookies added at the end.
***
I have a basket for the Munchkin and his Mom,
a basket of cookies to give out
and another basket with treats and our second kulich
as well as our main Pascha basket.
This has been one of the songs I have listened to a lot this week,
since my Aunt Karen died.
It fit the mood.
I will be so glad to hear, DV tonight, the songs of Pascha
and to sing to my +Aunt Karen that Christ is Risen...
a reality she is already in...
Christ is Risen! I'll be praying for you as you make the journey home for your aunt's funeral. May her memory be eternal. Pat
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you are going through such a hard time. I hope your journey is an easy one as you travel for the funeral.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter and lots of love
ReplyDeleteChrist is Risen! I'm so glad I got to see you last night, even if we didn't talk very much! I'm sorry there is so much that weighs on you. I hope that the Bright Season may lighten your load. (I so often find that the things of Holy Week which seem so heavy and unbearable are suddenly lighter during Bright Week. May it go so with you.)
ReplyDeleteChrist is risen!
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to exhausted to check blogs the last day or two so I didn’t know you were traveling today. Prayers right now for safety and for peace. We had something in common this week as my Great-Uncle Harry died Holy Friday night and I found out on the way to Holy Saturday Liturgy. May their memory be eternal!
I too have had Paschas that were so mixed. Several years ago I was grieving my baby and in a difficult parish situation during Pascha but rejoicing at Pascha as well. May God give you the joy of this Bright Week even as you travel to attend the funeral and are away from your husband. “O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave...”
That song was mesmerizing. Hauntingly beautiful.
ReplyDelete