Palm Sunday

Orthodox Palm Sunday today. I just had to include this picture of G. She is such a girl. She wants hair accessories just like her sisters and loves to steal parishioners jewelry to wear during the service. When it is time to kiss the cross and receive a blessing from the priest, G runs full force to be first, giggling the whole way. What a sweetie.

This weekend focuses on the raising of Lazarus as well. The icon of this shows Lazarus standing at the entrance to his tomb still wrapped in grave clothes. While playing outside yesterday, J asked me about how Lazarus came forth. I told her it was a miracle and that Jesus raised him from the dead. She said, no, not that part...if he was still wrapped up, how did he walk? Leave it to the children....no problem accepting being raised from the dead, but struggles with the logistics of walking while wrapped up.

I'll leave you with the troparion for Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday....which is triple awesome when sung by an excited first grader waving her palms high in the air:

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, 0 Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!