It's not just a day...it's a season...
Renewal of worship has rediscovered the value and
significance of the Easter Season. Easter is not just
"Easter Day," it is the fifty days from Easter Day until
the Day of Pentecost. During this season, Sundays might be
better named "of Easter" rather than "after Easter" ("The
Third Sunday after Easter," for example, is better termed
"The Fourth Sunday of Easter").
Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost do not form three seasons.
The Easter season celebrates the three dimensions of the
resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Spirit.
Ascension material is appropriately used as Ascension Day
approaches. Pentecost material is appropriate from
Ascension Day to the Day of Pentecost. Easter threads, of
course, remain suitable up to and including the Day of
Pentecost.
These fifty days, a seventh of the year, form our great
"Sunday" of the year. "Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is
risen indeed. Alleluia!" forms the greeting in every
service during Eastertide. Similarly "Alleluia! Alleluia!"
is added to the Dismissal and the people's response (these
are equivalent to the "Alleluia" added at the beginning and
end of the Daily Services). These help to give these
celebrations a distinctive festal feel.
The Paschal Candle is lit at every service up to and
including the Day of Pentecost. "Glory to God in the
highest" may be used daily from Easter Day through the Day
of Pentecost. Alternatively, some communities use it daily
for the first week of Easter. Other appropriate Songs of
Praise are given below.
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