On Saturday evening, April 30, the Rev. Michael Zak led his congregation in a Resurrection Matins service that precedes the Pascha Sunday Divine Liturgy.
“It’s a wonderful sight,” Father Zak says about seeing his congregation process outside the church to announce to all that Christ has risen.
The candlelight procession is symbolic of the women who anointed Christ’s body with ointments and fragrance.
About 100 people, some who stayed inside due to the weather, sang hymns and prayed on the steps of the church as bells rang continuously.
“If Christ didn’t rise, our preaching, teaching and worship would be meaningless,” Father Zak says, quoting the apostle Paul. Pascha means “the passover of Christ from death to life.”
Deacon Marc Wisnosky puts on his vestments as he prepares to participate in the Resurrection Matins service.After the candles are lit, members of the congregation brave the rainy weather to process outside where the service continues in front of the closed front doors of the church.From left Sunday School director Andrea Urban oversees the lighting of candles by students Jillian Piscitelli, Emma Fischer, Jennah Daw and Anna Bartko beginning the Resurrection Matins service. “Christ is the ligth of the world and in hoonor of him we hold candles,” says Father Zak.Just before the Resurrection Matins, Father Michael Zak, right, and deacons Art Steinstra, left of Father Zak, and Marc Wisnosky, in back, say the service for the removal of the burial shroud from the tomb of Jesus.Deacon Marc Wisnosky puts on his vestments as he prepares to participate in the Resurrection Mantis service, marking the beginning of Orthodox Easter, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, Saturday, April 30, 2016. They will celebrate Easter mass Sunday morning.Deacon Marc Wisnosky puts on his vestments as he prepares to participate in the Resurrection Mantis service, marking the beginning of Orthodox Easter, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, Saturday, April 30, 2016. They will celebrate Easter mass Sunday morning.The Very Reverend Michael Zak leads the congregation in a candlelight procession during the Resurrection Mantis service, marking the beginning of Orthodox Easter at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, Saturday, April 30, 2016. They will celebrate Easter mass Sunday morning.
By 
