Gus does orthodox Easter!

Gus does Orthodox Easter!

Hi! My name is Gus the 3rd Ware Scout Group mascot.

I’ve been invited to many things before; this time it was to celebrate Easter at an Orthodox Church! The church was called St.Botolphs. I went with the Simou Family on thetrain. We arrived at 8 o’ clock (when the sun

goesdown.) Elena and Yianni invited me to give you atour of the church and explain the service.

Elena told me that Orthodox Christians always light a candle when they enter the service. They say a prayer too. Even though my hood was over my eyes I could just about see the candle being lit!!!!

These are the icons at the front of the church, near the alter. On the right is St. Botolph and on the left is the mother of god. They decorate the icons with flowers at Easter and other special feasts.

This is me in a pew and next to a service book on the Rush Procession Service. It is called this to remember the women ‘rushing’ to the tomb of Christ on the third day. This is the beginning of the whole service.

This is me, Yianni and his friend, Joseph. At the beginning of the service all the lights are turned off. We each got a candle and lit it from the Priest’s candle, as the good news of Jesus resurrection is proclaimed. We followed the priest out side of the church in a procession chanting hymns holding our candles.

After the rush procession we go back into the church and celebrate the Divine Liturgy and everyone takes Holy Communion. Finally the Paschal Baskets of food are blessed ready to share afterwards.

This is me and Father Alexander, Boniface (Server) and Elena, at the end of the service when we share the food. This is when Orthodox Christians break their 40 day fast from dairy and meat foods. I loved all the food, but my favourite was the rice crispy mini egg cakes that Elena made.

This is me back at Elena’s house. I have the remaining dyed eggs, a flaouna ( cheesy bun) and another of the delicious rice crispy cakes. They are had a party, with friends, family and lots more food!