"Christ is Risen! You Too!"

How truly holy and all-festive is this saving night, how full of light!

Ode 7 Irmos, Paschal Canon, St. John of Damascus

At the service of the Divine Liturgy of Pascha (Easter) celebrated by Orthodox Christians, the traditional greeting is, "Christ is risen!" with three kisses on the cheek. 

The response is, "Indeed He is risen!"

A few years ago, I celebrated Pascha at the community of St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA.  As we reached the height of the service, the canon of Pascha echoed joyfully through the brightly lit sanctuary.  We sang the special hymns in four-part harmony, amidst cries of "Christ is risen!... Indeed He is risen!  Christos voskrese!... Voistinu voskrese!  Christos Anesti... Alithos anesti!"  The church bells rang vigorously as we greeted each other in fellowship.

A young boy came up to me, smiling and waving his candle in the air. 

I said to him, "Christ is risen!"

He responded with a high five and yelled, "YOU TOO!"

Exactly.