 |
Mansaf (meat cooked in yogurt served with rice) |
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone, we already did a previous post about Easter, but today is the orthodox Easter. So I'm just going to share a picture from yesterday and some pictures from today's Easter feast. Enjoy!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus Christ‘s body laid in the tomb.May people ask “what happened on holy Saturday with Jesus?”The Holy Saturday which is also called as Holy Fire or Great Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus’ body laid in the tomb, the day after his crucifixion on Good Friday and a day before Easter.
This miracle is considered to be the longest-attested annual miracle in the Christian world and it is celebrated only at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The celebration of Holy Saturday (holy fire) has been consecutively documented sine 1106 A.D and it is one of the highlight of Easter in Jerusalem. This celebration by the Easter Christianity is so crowded that a special permission is required in order to get into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. So I (Natalie) usually go to the old city of Jerusalem and wait for the holy fire to be passed from person to person and everyone lights their candles. Afterwards scouts go around the old city in celebration, its a very special and wonderful holiday to experience.
Around noon on Holy Saturday (after Good Friday), the two highest ranking clergymen - the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and the Armenian Patriarch – enter the Holy Sepulchre while all lights are turned off and they go in without any matches or lighters.Then the Armenian remains inside the Angel Chapel where the angel was sitting when he appeared to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection of Jesus, and the Orthodox Patriarch enter the chamber of the Holy Sepulchre. While the congregation subsequently chants “Lord have mercy on us” (brief prayer used in the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican Churches), a light from Heaven light 33 candles tied together by the Orthodox Patriarch. This light symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When the Orthodox and Armenian Patriarchs exiting the Aedicule, they distribute the Holy Fire to their escorts and the faithful gathered around them. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Fire is relayed on to many churches throughout the world using special designed lamps.
This Holy Fire is said to be the same Holy Fire that appeared to Moses in the burning bush. It is said that for the first 33 minutes after its appearance the Holy Fire does not consume. People have reported touching the Holy Fire to their faces and even passing their hands through it without getting burned. These reports have served as yet another motivation for crowds to gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Holy Saturday as part of their celebration of Easter in Jerusalem.A priest that once entered the tomb to collect the Holy Fire reported that after he has completed his prayers, a Holy light arose from the location where Jesus’ body once laid. It is from this Holy Light that the Holy Fire appears. The priest lighted the candles that he has brought into the chamber and emerged to share the Holy Fire with the awaiting crowd.
Here are some photos that have found, and after I come come back from the old city today I will add some more photos that I have taken. So wait for them :) Happy Holy Saturday!
This miracle is considered to be the longest-attested annual miracle in the Christian world and it is celebrated only at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The celebration of Holy Saturday (holy fire) has been consecutively documented sine 1106 A.D and it is one of the highlight of Easter in Jerusalem. This celebration by the Easter Christianity is so crowded that a special permission is required in order to get into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. So I (Natalie) usually go to the old city of Jerusalem and wait for the holy fire to be passed from person to person and everyone lights their candles. Afterwards scouts go around the old city in celebration, its a very special and wonderful holiday to experience.
Around noon on Holy Saturday (after Good Friday), the two highest ranking clergymen - the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and the Armenian Patriarch – enter the Holy Sepulchre while all lights are turned off and they go in without any matches or lighters.Then the Armenian remains inside the Angel Chapel where the angel was sitting when he appeared to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection of Jesus, and the Orthodox Patriarch enter the chamber of the Holy Sepulchre. While the congregation subsequently chants “Lord have mercy on us” (brief prayer used in the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican Churches), a light from Heaven light 33 candles tied together by the Orthodox Patriarch. This light symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When the Orthodox and Armenian Patriarchs exiting the Aedicule, they distribute the Holy Fire to their escorts and the faithful gathered around them. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Fire is relayed on to many churches throughout the world using special designed lamps.
This Holy Fire is said to be the same Holy Fire that appeared to Moses in the burning bush. It is said that for the first 33 minutes after its appearance the Holy Fire does not consume. People have reported touching the Holy Fire to their faces and even passing their hands through it without getting burned. These reports have served as yet another motivation for crowds to gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Holy Saturday as part of their celebration of Easter in Jerusalem.A priest that once entered the tomb to collect the Holy Fire reported that after he has completed his prayers, a Holy light arose from the location where Jesus’ body once laid. It is from this Holy Light that the Holy Fire appears. The priest lighted the candles that he has brought into the chamber and emerged to share the Holy Fire with the awaiting crowd.
Here are some photos that have found, and after I come come back from the old city today I will add some more photos that I have taken. So wait for them :) Happy Holy Saturday!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy Easter
Happy Easter Everyone!
Today, is when most people celebrate Easter; however, being Greek Orthodox I (Natalie) will be celebrating Easter later on May 5th. But nonetheless, we are here to give you great ideas to how you can create some colorful Easter eggs. For Christians the custom of eggs at Easter celebrates new life. Easter eggs are symbols of the resurrection of Jesus just as a chick breaks the shell when it is hatched and begins life.
Many of you probably don't know the symbolism behind the Easter Bunny, and neither did we before this post! The Easter Bunny has been around in the writings of the Germans since the 1500's and those who traveled to the Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1700s brought the German Easter Bunny traditions with them to America. The goddess Eostre in Pagan celebrations was associated with fertility, therefore also associating rabbits and eggs with the celebration. Over time, these celebrations have been transformed to be for religious reasons and the rabbits and eggs remained. Now that know we know that we can start the fun part: Easter Eggs!
First, you will need to boil some eggs. Place them in a pot and cover them with cold water, then cover the pot and let it boil. Leave them to simmer for 15 minutes. Once they are done drain them and rinse them with cool water.
The first idea I have tried and it is pretty easy and simple, however, you do need patience for it.
Today, is when most people celebrate Easter; however, being Greek Orthodox I (Natalie) will be celebrating Easter later on May 5th. But nonetheless, we are here to give you great ideas to how you can create some colorful Easter eggs. For Christians the custom of eggs at Easter celebrates new life. Easter eggs are symbols of the resurrection of Jesus just as a chick breaks the shell when it is hatched and begins life.
Many of you probably don't know the symbolism behind the Easter Bunny, and neither did we before this post! The Easter Bunny has been around in the writings of the Germans since the 1500's and those who traveled to the Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1700s brought the German Easter Bunny traditions with them to America. The goddess Eostre in Pagan celebrations was associated with fertility, therefore also associating rabbits and eggs with the celebration. Over time, these celebrations have been transformed to be for religious reasons and the rabbits and eggs remained. Now that know we know that we can start the fun part: Easter Eggs!
First, you will need to boil some eggs. Place them in a pot and cover them with cold water, then cover the pot and let it boil. Leave them to simmer for 15 minutes. Once they are done drain them and rinse them with cool water.
The first idea I have tried and it is pretty easy and simple, however, you do need patience for it.
Boil some water and fill a 1/5 of your cup. Add 1 tsp of vinegar, and around 15-20 drops of food coloring depending on how dark you want it. Leave the eggs for a few minutes in the
color and then add some more water (about another 1/5 of the cup). Do the same till the eggs are
completely covered by the water.
Another great idea we found was through Martha Stewart's paper-napkin Decoupage Eggs. It is a great way to use some of those beautiful napkins that you have and an alternative to the regular dyeing of Easter Eggs.
 |
| Easter Eggs via Martha Stewart |
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Spring Is In The Air
Spring time is full of beautiful flowers, warm weather, and some of our favorite fruits and vegetables.The grass is green and lush, the flowers are blossoming, and nature awakes. The colors of spring are vibrant and everything comes to life, it is possible to capture some of the most breathtaking photographs of the year.
It just so happens that spring is our favorite season for many reasons. First of all the weather is perfect it is just where its supposed to be, in the middle, not too hot and not too cold. It's the perfect time for shorts or jeans, tank tops or even a light long sleeve, making our lives a hell of a lot easier. Not to mention spring break which is the time for us as students to relax, travel, and go wild. It is also a time of year where we get together with our families for Easter & Passover and have a massive meal and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
This is just the beginning, expect posts on recipes, fruits and vegetables of the season, personal anecdotes, activities, and much more that you will just have to wait and see...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)