The secret of Easter in the Byzantine rite by means of mystic-theological reflection Cover Image

Tajemství Velikonoc v byzantském ritu prostřednictvím mysticko-teologické reflexe
The secret of Easter in the Byzantine rite by means of mystic-theological reflection

Author(s): Karel Sládek
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum
Keywords: Easter mysetery; Byzantine rite; mystical theology; spiritual theology; Eucharist

Summary/Abstract: This article interprets the secret of Easter in the Byzantine rite by means of mystic-theological reflection, or by means of spiritual development of a personality as perceived in the Christian mystic tradition. The article is chronologically structured according to the sequence of days of the liturgical period. The method is the application of the teaching of personal spiritual development by means of the path of conversion, purification, enlightenment and unification on individual days of celebrating the secret of Easter in the Byzantine rite. The gift of knowledge of the perfect agape love which is concluded in the Eucharist leads the man to the conversion and truthful self-knowledge. On Good Friday the worshipper meets the root of all evil and sin, the egoistic and idolatry selflove, confronts themself with treachery, renouncement and succumbing to evil. By Jesus Christ’s road to Calvary who assumes the consequences of the original sin, the man is internally purified and acquires the inner attitude of humbleness and confidence instead of the darkness and anxiety of the soul. The secret of Holy Saturday is Christ’s descending to pre-hell and His Annunciation which liberates from the hell of abandonment and despair in death. People waiting for salvation are enlightened by the announced God’s words; they can fearlessly bear the burden of disturbance to relationships and participate in the resurrection. Worshippers unified with Christ’s God-humanity participate with Easter joy and peace in the expiating force of Christ’s Resurrection. The new God-human life of Easter Sunday is thus opened which a Christian enters through the sacrament of Christening.

  • Issue Year: II/2012
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 29-40
  • Page Count: 12