Bright Monday

We are home today! Brian and I both took a personal day so we can fully enjoy the Paschal celebration. The kids did so well this weekend. We woke them up around 11:30 pm to go to Liturgy. The first thing Elijah noticed when we went inside was the bells. During Great Lent we don't use any bells on the censer. The deacon was censing the church and the bells were jingling. The church is totally dark until about 11:55 and then the Priest comes out with a large candle. He chants, "Come ye, receive the light from the unwaining light. Come receive Christ who is risen from the dead," and passes the light from his candle to the faithful who are all holding candles. Within about 10 seconds the church is filled with the light of candles. Then we watch as they bring out the Gospel book. The priest and deacon process with it outside and we all follow with our candles. So, it is now around 12:10 in the morning and there are 150 people standing outside with candles listening to the gospel reading and singing "Christ is risen from the dead..." When we return to the church the lights are on and the church is filled with flowers. When all is said and done the service is done around 2 am, but the fun is just getting going. Everyone has brought their baskets filled with candy, cheese, eggs, meats, and all the yummy treats we haven't been eating for the last 50 days. The priest blesses the baskets and then everyone stays to eat, drink and be merry. We got home around 3 am and the kids slept until around 9 am. This is the first year that they didn't wake up around 6:30 am. We ate candy for breakfast, had an egg hunt, and took naps soon after. Last night we had some friends over and we had another egg hunt for the kids (outside this time) and had a campfire. Today we will rest, clean the house, and get ready to start the week.