BROOKSVILLE - Proud of an Easter tradition that dates back to the early Christian church, the Christ the Savior Orthodox Church will hold participatory services for the next eight days as part of the holy season celebration.
     The string of services begins today at the church that is under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Metropolis of Atlanta.
     "We have a 150-year-old icon that was presented to us by our Metropolitan Alexios, and our traditions go way back in time," said the pastor, the Rev. Stanley Harakas. "Once approximately every five years, the Eastern Orthodox Easter Sunday date coincides with Western traditional date. Decorated eggs can be elaborate, even wooden and painted. But after the Easter morning Divine Liturgy, we give foil-wrapped chocolate eggs to the children. Some of the adults enjoy them too."
The Greek Orthodox Easter season includes symbolism that differs from that of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. Near the altar, three icons depict Jesus' travails. One shows the humility of Jesus as he was being judged; another represents Jesus' crucifixion and the third as his resurrection. A lavaron is an emblem atop a tall post brought out annually only for the Resurrection period.
"Holy Week is a week-long liturgical Passion Play," Harakas explained. "It is for us to become spiritually prepared, and we all participate in the last events of Jesus Christ's earthly life."
     Today at 10 a.m., the Divine Liturgy remembers the raising of Lazarus, during which the parishioners make small palm crosses folded in a specific fashion.
     At 10 a.m. tomorrow -- Palm Sunday -- the crosses are blessed, and people take them home usually to be placed on their personal family altars, beside icons and a vigil light or candle.
A parable is featured at 7 p.m. on Palm Sunday night, Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday - April 4, 5 and 6 -- that depicts Jesus relating the story of the bride and bridegroom of Jewish tradition as found in the Bible. "Ten young women, five of them foolish and five of then wise," said Harakas, "waste or conserve oil to light welcoming the wedding party coming to the groom's home. The symbolism is for us all to be prepared - like the wise women - for the second coming, and to avoid or overcome the waste and evils of today. To repent, be prayerful, give alms, be humble and to love as the people share in the last events of Christ's life on earth.
     "Holy Wednesday, April 7, beginning at 7 p.m., is the Sacrament of Holy Unction, with the blessing of anointing by oil and prayer, based on the New Testament letter of James. It is for the benefit and healing of the infirmed, and people are asking to be forgiven.
     "Holy Thursday at 9:30 a.m. is the Divine Liturgy remembering the Last Supper, while the evening service at 7 p.m. is for reading the passages of the Passion, with the arrest, trail, beatings, humiliation and crucifixion suffered by Christ. A cross is carried in procession around the church and then placed on a stand in front of the congregation. All of this is traditional in Eastern Orthodoxy," Harakas explained.
     Good Friday morning, April 9, features a service at 8:30 a.m.
     "The Service of the Hours reflects the prophetic readings in the Old Testament," Harakas continued. A table is placed in front of the altar, with poles and a canopy having fresh flowers entwined, forming a bier to receive a cloth icon, representing the body of Christ.
     At noon, the icon Christ's body is placed in the flower-covered bier. That evening, at 7 p.m., the Service of Lamentation emphasizes the paradox of Jesus being the author of life, yet he is dead. The bier is taken outside, and all follow in procession. A unique aspect at Christ the Savior is that the bier is held aloft at the entrance upon return. People duck under it representing going to a symbolic personal spiritual burying or entombment.
     Another special tradition of the local service is at 9 a.m. Saturday April 10, the day before Easter. The Divine Liturgy is held. Some of the bier flowers are broken up, blessed and scattered as petals in the church, representing rebirth and Spring. The priest calls out, "Arise O Lord and rule the earth," echoed solemnly by the congregants.
     At an 11 p.m. night service, hymns express anticipation of midnight. Just before midnight, all lights are extinguished, symbolizing moral darkness. One large candle, symbolizing Christ, is then lit. The priest proclaims, "Come receive light, from the undying light." All then light small candles in a chain-fashion, passing light from that initial flame. The procession around the outside lectern includes the censer, a swaying release of incense and a traditional, joyful hymn celebrating the Resurrection.
Harakas recited the lyrics: "Christ is risen from the dead by his death, trampling down on Death, and to those in the tombs, He grants life."
The Divine Liturgy that follows, Harakas said "is the most glorious of the year."
On Easter Sunday, the noon service includes readings from the lectionary in many languages.
Some of the special foods and traditions include a delicate soup, called "magerista," painstakingly created by Ruby and Bill Hazivasilis.
     Lamb is the featured fare on Easter Sunday, with each family member crashing one egg hardboiled against a neighboring opponent's egg to see which egg lasts the longest. Dropout eggs are eaten with glee, according to Harakas. Parishioners greet each other for the next 40 days and instead of their usual greetings, use the words "Christ is risen," and the response, "Indeed, He is risen."
Easter is a family day, especially for the feasting and camaraderie, Harakas said. He is especially happy this year because of a painting and cleaning given to the church by a group of college students on their recent spring break. Nine students from the University of Illinois came for a weeklong mission trip from their orthodox fellowship. Each student had to earn $650 for travel and lodging. "They slept in sleeping bags and brought their own food," Harakas said. "Of a task list for 62 jobs, 53 were completed. Our members are mostly elderly, so the youthful energy was most appreciated. The spring cleaning makes the place sparkle and is so pleasant now for the season."
He also recalled their one day off when they visited Tarpon Springs, and were recognized at a church luncheon.
      Spiro Lemonedes is one member who is pleased to have found the church. He and his wife, Catherine, live in Timber Pines and joined the church when a friend told them about it.
     "First of all," Spiro said, "the services are in English and easy to understand, especially because Father Harakas is a brilliant theologian and scholar. He's written many books and essays and presented seminars and papers worldwide," he said. " Also, he is a wonderful and giving individual, truly a blessing for this church. He even puts the newsletter together and mails it to absentees and the many visitors and friends. We are a small group, but close and caring. I know we will continue to share in the many blessings of our faith in Holy Week and throughout the year."
     Regular scheduling resumes after Easter as follows: Matins, or Orthos, is at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, with Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m., and fellowship and refreshments following. Scripture studies on the Gospel of John alternates on Fridays at 2 p.m., led by the pastor. On other Friday P.E.P. - for Parish Educational Program - discussions are topical. A new ladies guild is being formed. The Men's Breakfast Club meets on Thursday mornings and volunteerism focuses on grounds maintenance.
"The rural setting here is peaceful and lovely, really. It used to be a campground and would be ideal for a retreat center," Harakas said. The church hopes to sell the facility and relocate to land owned in Spring Hill. "Not so far to drive," he said.
     In closing, the pastor proclaimed the focus of Easter. "The resurrection of Christ is central to understanding the Christian faith. In the new life of the resurrection, Christ becomes alive in our lives. We welcome respectful visitors, now and throughout the year."

Christ the Savior Eastern Orthodox Church is located at 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, (4.5 miles north of State Road 50 on Sunshine Grove Road, jogging left and right at Hexam Road, continuing on Sunshine Grove again ,for one mile after Hexam). Turn right at Olympic Village Lane. Phone: 688-2382 E-mail: Rharakas@aol.com