Last week we enjoyed Easter with our church, and this morning my wife and I celebrated Easter a second time. It’s so good, why stop at one?

Our next door neighbors attend a local Orthodox congregation, celebrating Easter one week later. The service started at 5:15 am, which meant a 4 am alarm in order to get to the church early for a seat, and indeed standing room only prevailed.

The service started in the dark, echoing the dawn of Easter morning in Jerusalem. After lighting candles, the congregation walked outside in the pale light, around the back of the church to the front doors. There the priest knocked and announced the arrival of the King of Glory, resurrected from the dead.

The doors reminded me of what Jesus himself told us, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The doors opened, we walked inside into warmth and after the service enjoyed a grand meal—those Orthodox can spread a table. We enjoyed effusive greetings and rich hospitality. I initially thought, how interesting to celebrate Easter from a different point of view. Then a more accurate impression came to mind—I believe from the Lord—how meaningful to celebrate Easter with ancient traditions new to me.

When it comes to Easter every Christian, regardless of heritage or style, shares the same point of view—we peer into an empty tomb. And so we say together with one other and the angels:

He is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!

William-Adolphe Bouguereau – The holy women at the tomb (1890)