The Winter Pascha: Readings for the Christmas-Epiphany Season (Paperback)

by Thomas Hopko (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When the winter begins to make way into the Northern World, the Church of Christ begins to celebrate 'a splendid three-day Pascha.' Thus Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ's birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church's days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh. Many references are made to the writings of the saints and Church Fathers, as well as to contemporary Christian teachers and spiritual guides. All those who love the Lord's Coming will find comfort and strength, as well as enlightenment and instruction, for having passed through the Winter Pascha with this book as their companion.

About the Author
Fr Thomas Hopko was educated at St Vladimir s Seminary, Duquense University and Fordham University. He has served as a parish priest and as the Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology at St Vladimir s Seminary. A member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, he has wide experience in ecumenical relations and has lectured widely in parishes and on college campuses across North America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: St Vladimirs Seminary Pr (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088141025X
• ISBN-13: 978-0881410259
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #557,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eastern Orthodox Readings for the Christmas Season, December 5, 2007

By	John D. Dooley "PhiloX" (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fr. Thomas Hopko is the dean & a professor at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, which is under the OCA or Orthodox Church of America. He has written several books, some which are famous in Orthodox circles, specially "All the Fulness of God: Essays on Orthodoxy". He has also written a book for the Pascha season (Lent to Easter) "The Lenten Spring" which I try to read during each Great Lent.

Now that Advent is here, it's time to stop listening to music & read a good book of Theology to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Unlike "The Lenten Spring" which starts at the 40 day Great Fast & ends at the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, "The Winter Pascha" is suppose to start at Christmas & ends 40 days later on January 2 with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, when the baby Jesus was lifted up by St. Symeon; at least this is what the 1st chapter states. Being a member of the Antiochian Orthodox I know a little about my fellow Orthodox Christians in the OCA & that in California they follow the New Julian calendar, while those in Alaska follow the Old Julian calendar. Does that mean the book should be started on December 25 with the New Julian calendar & January 7 with the Old Julian calendar? Does 40 days later in the Old Julian calendar also end with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple? Especially when Great Lent comes early ever so often? When I look at the Lent/Pascha dates, the Old Julian calendar makes it in by a few days. Somehow the book is unclear when to start because in the back cover it states: "Thus Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, ending with the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ's birth." 40 meditations at one meditation a day is 40 days. Advent itself is 40 days before Christmas; therefore the beginning of Advent to the Meeting of the Lord in the temple is 80 days away with Christmas in the middle. Then in the 2nd chapter Fr. Thomas Hopko explains about the Advent season with the "Fast of Philip". The conclusion seems to be that there is no basic starting day for this book, but it's a good book to read some mediations during the Christmas season, no matter when you start. Some of the mediations are: St. Andrew, St. Nicholas, St. Herman, the conception of Mary, the genealogy of Jesus, Christ restoring the Image, The two comings of Christ, God is with us, the circumcision of the Lord, the Lord's Epiphany in the Jordan, the manifestation of the Trinity, the meeting of the Lord in the temple, as well as many others which Fr. Thomas Hopko intermixes many scripture passages with liturgical readings with his fine poetic writing.

This year I started the book around Thanksgiving, but ended up matching the days of December with the chapter numbers. On the New Julian calendar December 25 I reach the 25 chapter of the book which was titled "God with Us". Therefore following the New Jukian dates do match the book chapters. Chapter 29 is about "The Blood of the Martyrs" which starts the day after to the 3rd day after Christmas with the death of St. Stephen & ends the death of the innocent children slain by King Herod. Therefore some chapters can take several days of mediation.

I wish there was an introduction to clarify when the book should be read to match the days of the church readings as did his other book "The Lenten Spring". A rating of "5" for writing style, but a rating of "3" for the lack of clarity balances out to a "4" for a good buy to mediate about the Christmas season.

Have yourself a Winter Pascha.