Blessed Easter! I hope all of you had an enjoyable Easter in church. One of the things I enjoyed on Easter Sunday is the singing of the Easter Anthem or Pascha Nostrum. But before I start waxing lyrical about it, here’s a quick introduction about some words:
An anthem or canticle is a hymn that uses parts of the Bible. It is best sung during worship although it can be said.
Pascha Nostrum means “Our Passover” in Latin.
The Pascha Nostrum is a combination of a few New Testament verses which are 1 Corinthians 5:7 to 8, Romans 6:9 to 11, and 1 Corinthians 15:20 to 22.
Here is the Pascha Nostrum in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:
Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : therefore let us keep the feast; Not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness : but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more : death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once : but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin : but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9
Christ is risen from the dead : and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death : by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die : even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
There are quite a few musical settings for the Pascha Nostrum and which you can check out (and sing/chant along prayerfully).
B&C Productions 