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ASCENSION MEDITATION
Dear Parish Faithful,
Preparing for our Vespers service this evening, I was reading through some of the stikhera and apostikha (hymnography), and came across many wonderful texts, one of which I am passing along for a short daily "mediation" during the current Ascension season as we await the Feast of Pentecost. We are encouraged to "exult" and to "dance with joy." Fine reactions, indeed, during a time that we rejoice in the ascension of the Lord and of our human nature with Him into the imperishable Kingdom of God.
Of course, if you come to Vespers this evening, you will hear a series of remarkable hymns that further glorify the glorified Christ!
Exult, Adam! Eve, dance with joy! The garments of skin which you once put on in Paradise in the hope of immortality, has been assumed by your Creator in a wondrous fashion. He has transformed it into an immortal body which He has today deigned to lift up in glory to the right hand of the Father in the heavens.
Apostikha (tone 6) Wednesday Vespers within the Feast of Ascension
As for Pentecost Sunday: "For Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost." (ACTS 20:16)
