Just popping back in to share something from this past Sunday that I thought was just so beautiful. As I've mentioned in a "pop-in" before, I have been regularly attending an Orthodox Church here for the past 4 months. It has been such an uplifting experience. Well, I attended Orthros prior to Divine Liturgy this past Sunday and this was the Kontakion & Oikos for the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent:
That bolded line, though. Man, did it hit me.Quote:
The fiery sword no longer guards the gates of Eden, for in a strange and glorious way the wood of the Cross quenched its flames. The sting of death and the victory of hades are now destroyed, for Thou art come, my Savior, crying unto those in hades: "Return again to Paradise".
Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, hades cried to those below: "O my ministers and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has pierced me suddenly, and I am torn apart. Inwardly I suffer; anguish has seized my belly and my senses. My spirit trembles, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to my realm, but now the Tree of the Cross brings them back again to Paradise.
