Harrowing of Hades
Introduction Judging merely by the degree to which a service affects me emotionally, it seems that the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil celebrated on the morning of Great and Holy Saturday is my favorite service. The selection of Scripture readings, hymnography and psalmody really chokes me up. Today's celebration of that liturgy was as glorious as ever, and I want to share a few impressions that I had. All Scripture quotations are from the Lexham English Bible except where indicated. The Back Story to the Harrowing of Hades Most people in the tradition of my upbringing have no idea what the Harrowing of Hades is. In order that the rest of my article can make sense, let me present its primary source. At the moment of Jesus' death, this happened: "And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many." (Matthew 27:52-53). Am...