A unique aspect of celebration of the Resurrection in the Coptic tradition: The (Re)enactment

[dzheremi]

Christ is risen!

At this time in the liturgical year, we in the Coptic Orthodox Church enjoy not only the feast of the glorious Resurrection, but also a unique ritual tied to our liturgical celebration of it: a reenactment of the Resurrection itself, which takes place during the liturgy of the Word. In brief, it can be described as follows (from "Orthodox Christian Meets World" blog):

During the Feast of the Resurrection, there is this special moment where something that normally never happens happens. Although the Church is supposed to resemble heaven and therefore always have the lights on, during a particular segment the Liturgy of the Word of that feast, all the lights turn off (except for some or all lights inside the sanctuary), and the curtain (or door) of the altar is closed. Then the presiding clergyman, standing inside the sanctuary, engages in a melodic dialogue with two deacons outside. [...]

“The enactment of the Resurrection represents a 'scene' that takes place in front of Paradise [after Christ has descended to Hades and risen]: two angels stand at the gate of Paradise and call to the angel who is guarding it announcing the resurrection of the Lord. The angels then command that the gates of Paradise be lifted that the King of glory may enter.” (HG Bishop Youssef)

More specifically, the deacons outside the altar say, “Christ is risen” while the priest responds “Truly He is risen.” At the conclusion of several iterations of this hymned exchange, the deacons finally present their request (which, along with subsequent dialogue, comes from Psalm 24:7-10): “Lift up your gates, O rulers! And be raised up, O eternal gates! That the King of glory may enter.” The priest asks, “Who is the King of glory?” And with a powerful conclusion the deacons outside declare, “The Lord, the powerful, the strong, the mighty, victorious in battles: HE IS THE KING OF GLORY!” Then immediately upon finishing that last word the deacons make a loud thunderous noise (usually clanging symbols and banging on pews) to resemble the opening [....] of the gates of Paradise.​

More details on the Enactment of the Resurrection can be found in this short booklet, produced by HG Bishop Youssef the Southern United States Diocese.

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From monasteries in Egypt...

...to cathedrals in Australia...

...to churches in America, and everywhere in between, we all proclaim His glorious resurrection, for indeed, HE IS RISEN!

 

[rakovsky]

Thanks for posting this Dzheremi!
I was reading Michael Turton's commentary on Mark 16, the gospel story about the resurrection events, and he discussed how this chapter has alot of parallel with Psalm 24. He mentioned a theory where Psalm 22 reflects the Passion, Psalm 23 reflects burial, and then Psalm 24 alludes to Resurrection. So it's interesting and exciting even to see how this is used liturgically.