Following the Lectionary in rhythm with the Church Year is a priestly practice of being Storytellers.
We observe the worship calendar, now called the Church Year, that God originally gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai about 3,500 years ago, which was subsequently fulfilled and reshaped by the events of Jesus’ life and ministry and the ongoing acts of the Holy Spirit in the Church. We regard the Church Year as the primary framework by which we learn of and then participate in the story that makes us the People of God. Thus we listen to the Word in the context of the Church Year, not as spectators of the truths revealed, but as doers of and participants in those truths in our way of life.
Icon of the Resurrection
Following the Lectionary in rhythm with the Church Year as Storytellers is one of three practices by which we Listen to the Word, the other two being interpreting the Word according to the Apostolic Rule of Faith as Pattern-Keepers and observing the Constitution of Basileia as Overcomers.
This image, known as the Icon of Resurrection, is the story at the heart of the whole Church Year. Jesus triumphantly stands on a figure lying prone in the darkness – the personification of Death, conquered, bound and defeated. He is building His Church and the gates of Hades have not prevailed, but are now shattered by His descent and have fallen in the form of a cross. Trampling down death by His death, Jesus leaves Hades in utter chaos, littering it with broken locks and chains.
Jesus pulls the first man, Adam, from the tomb by his wrist, not his hand, because Adam cannot pull himself out of this prison of death. Eve, to the left of Adam, holds her hands out in supplication, waiting for Jesus to raise her too. Various kings, prophets and righteous men who immediately recognize the Risen One look on from the right. While Christ’s body rested in the tomb on the Sabbath (the day after the Crucifixion), His soul descended into Hades.
