THE SERVICE OF THE SECOND RESURRECTION AT THE PATRIARCHATE (VESPERS OF LOVE)
The Service of the second Resurrection was observed at 12 noon on Easter Day.
This ceremony, just as bright as that of the All-night Vigil Liturgy of the Resurrection, began at the Patriarchate Reception Hall with the reading of the 9th Hour of Easter, as the choir was chanting “Christ is risen” in slow Byzantine music.
Then the magnificent Patriarchal Entourage dressed in their liturgical vestments with the choir and the faithful on either side of the road marched to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and offered a special prayer. The Service of Easter Vespers began in the Catholicon of the Church of the Resurrection.
The Gospel narrative according to Saint John regarding the appearance of the Resurrected Lord was read in many languages for the love of the Resurrected Christ to the world and the universality of the Gospel. The chanting was delivered by Mr Vasilios Gotsopoulos and the Patriarchal School Students as the service was attended by the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Evangelos Vlioras and local faithful Christians, Greeks, Russians, Palestinians and others, but not any pilgrims.
After Vespers, the Patriarchal Entourage returned to the Patriarchate Reception Hall in joy and gleefulness and doxology of our Trinitarian God for the salvation of people through Christ.
From Secretariat-General