Christ Is Risen!

Yes it is that time of year when we say such things. Traditionally it is the greeting used by Christians the forty days after the Christian Passover or Easter. The reply being along the lines of "He is risen indeed!" or "Indeed He is risen!" This Easter I spent at a wonderful conservative little Anglican parish in Anchorage. I must admit I missed the festive atmosphere that accompanied Resurrection Matins and the first Divine liturgy (which is the celebration of the Resurrection every time it occurs) of Easter. I have always heard little jokes about Episcopalians being a bit stiff. Last year we attended an Orthodox Presbyterian church (for my wife) and boy you have never seen stiff until you have seen the OPC. It was like a funeral but less upbeat.

I have bounced about theologically over the years but having discovered the Eastern Church my theological heart is Orthodox while preference of liturgies has not taken root because so long as the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is in English it is Western to me and no less majestic, heavenly, or valid are Western Liturgies. Sure I am silent when filoque is said but you can change the world overnight and I can overlook the well intentioned filoque over ignoring and distancing oneself from fellow Christians over ethnic traditions and nationalistic pride.