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The Fourth Monday of Pascha, Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Service of the Consecration of a Church (Part X)

LIGHTING OF THE VIGIL LIGHT During the service the Bishop invites the faithful to come forward and to offer a few drops of oil in a Vigil Light. This they do as an offering to the Church. The Bishop will later light the Vigil Light and will place it on the Altar Table near the Artoforion. This light will be kept burning at all times and is symbolic of the never failing light of Christ

The Third Thursday of Pascha, Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Service of the Consecration of a Church (Part VIII)

THE VESTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE The Altar Table is now covered with the “Katasarkion”. This white linen cloth represents the Lord’s burial shroud. The Katasarkion is tied with a cord which represents the cord with which our Lord’s hands were tied as He stood before the High Priests. The Katasarkion will never be removed and will remain on the Altar for as long as the Church remains standing. As the Katasarkion is being placed