Of holy days and health: Leaves on the Current - and me
Today for several hundred million Eastern Christian, Orthodox and Oriental, is Pascha, Easter, the Day of Resurrection, the most important day on their religious calendar. Last week was Holy Week, full of services of preparation. My wife is a serious Orthodox Christian, singing in her choir, serving in some services as a reader of the Epistle or other texts, serving on one national committee and representing the Orthodox Church in America to the National Council of Churches' working group on environmental justice. We were married at St. Mark Orthodox Church in late 1985, and although I have since moved on to my current status as a Quaker, I fully support my wife's participation in that church.
Which is why this week has been somewhat sad. Because my beloved missed most of the services, including the Paschal service last night.
While in general her recovery has been good, this was not a great week, in large part because she developed a cold. That might not be a major issue did she not have a compromised immune system from her chemotherapy. It is bad enough that it interrupted the sleep cycle she had developed. When it spread into her chest, and she became hoarse, we saw medical advice which was that she should stay in bed and not attempt the service last night/this morning.
She was able to find a service online from a Greek church in Toms River NJ, so she was not totally cut off. But she missed hearing - and singing - the familiar music of the feast, which is full of joy. She missed exchanging the paschal greeting with friends, the breaking of the fast with the joyful meal (although St. Mark Church was kind enough to send a blessed basket with goodies for her to enjoy).
If this is as bad as we have to confront during her recovery, we will be grateful.
Especially as we learned that I also have some health issues that means I may well be dealing with a chronic condition as well.
Let me explain.
Which is why this week has been somewhat sad. Because my beloved missed most of the services, including the Paschal service last night.
While in general her recovery has been good, this was not a great week, in large part because she developed a cold. That might not be a major issue did she not have a compromised immune system from her chemotherapy. It is bad enough that it interrupted the sleep cycle she had developed. When it spread into her chest, and she became hoarse, we saw medical advice which was that she should stay in bed and not attempt the service last night/this morning.
She was able to find a service online from a Greek church in Toms River NJ, so she was not totally cut off. But she missed hearing - and singing - the familiar music of the feast, which is full of joy. She missed exchanging the paschal greeting with friends, the breaking of the fast with the joyful meal (although St. Mark Church was kind enough to send a blessed basket with goodies for her to enjoy).
If this is as bad as we have to confront during her recovery, we will be grateful.
Especially as we learned that I also have some health issues that means I may well be dealing with a chronic condition as well.
Let me explain.
in honor of Pascha for Eastern Christians
since it is now the Day of Resurrection on the East Coast:
Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat!
Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη!
Tha Crìosd air èiridh! Gu dearbh, tha e air èiridh!
ハリストス復活！実に復活！
ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!
Christ daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá! T'áá aaníí, daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá!
Xristos Kuxwoo-digoot! Xegaa-kux Kuxwoo-digoot!
Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall!
Kristus vstal z mrtvých! Vpravdě vstal z mrtvých!
Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!
Der Meschiache undzer iz geshtanen! Avade er iz ufgeshtanen!
Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜ Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի՜
or if you prefer in English for this occasion:
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat!
Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη!
Tha Crìosd air èiridh! Gu dearbh, tha e air èiridh!
ハリストス復活！実に復活！
ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!
Christ daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá! T'áá aaníí, daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá!
Xristos Kuxwoo-digoot! Xegaa-kux Kuxwoo-digoot!
Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall!
Kristus vstal z mrtvých! Vpravdě vstal z mrtvých!
Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!
Der Meschiache undzer iz geshtanen! Avade er iz ufgeshtanen!
Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜ Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի՜
or if you prefer in English for this occasion:
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!