16 April 2023
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today, we celebrate the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
It is our second Pascha in the circumstances of the war, which continues to destroy our cities and villages and ─ the worst of all ─ to take away priceless human lives. And we have to celebrate this year’s Pascha also in the conditions of the artificially incited internal confrontation ─ an open persecution of the true Church of Christ.
But no matter how dark forces try to enchain our hearts with fetters of fear and doubt and to stir up in them malice and hatred, which are natural to those forces, we know that it is a test of our faith and faithfulness, that the night is the darkest just before the dawn.
The many-voiced cry ‘Christ is Risen!’ has already illuminated our long-suffering land, our churches and our homes, our souls and our hearts with Divine light. The joy of Christ’s Victory is thus born out of the tribulation of His Passions. And the Saviour’s seeming defeat turns into His Divine glory, and the Heavenly Church and earthly Church, Angelic Powers and people who have believed in Him rejoice together.
The Bright Pascha of Christ is a joy beyond time and space for us, living people, for all who lived before us, and for all who will live after us. Like a long-awaited spring after a long and cold winter, it warms people’s hearts again and again with Love and Mercy and with God’s infinite love toward man. It gives the renewal of strength and invincible faith and hope.
The grace of the Resurrection, which dwells constantly in the true Church of Christ, never fails, and there is no power in the world that could overcome and take away this main treasure from Her.
And when the Lord allows for His Church to undergo temporary trials and persecutions, She, like gold in a furnace, is cleansed from foreign impurities and, transfigured and Holy even unto the end of the age, shines with an even purer and brighter light.
Dear friends!
I wholeheartedly greet all of you on the Pascha of Christ!
May the Holy Fire, which has shone from the Holy Sepulchre, burn any malice and any hatred in human hearts and help to nurture peace and love in them.
May the Risen Christ give all of us spiritual joy, health, and salvation.
Blessed peace to us all!
Christ is Risen!
All related news Today, we celebrate the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
It is our second Pascha in the circumstances of the war, which continues to destroy our cities and villages and ─ the worst of all ─ to take away priceless human lives. And we have to celebrate this year’s Pascha also in the conditions of the artificially incited internal confrontation ─ an open persecution of the true Church of Christ.
But no matter how dark forces try to enchain our hearts with fetters of fear and doubt and to stir up in them malice and hatred, which are natural to those forces, we know that it is a test of our faith and faithfulness, that the night is the darkest just before the dawn.
The many-voiced cry ‘Christ is Risen!’ has already illuminated our long-suffering land, our churches and our homes, our souls and our hearts with Divine light. The joy of Christ’s Victory is thus born out of the tribulation of His Passions. And the Saviour’s seeming defeat turns into His Divine glory, and the Heavenly Church and earthly Church, Angelic Powers and people who have believed in Him rejoice together.
The Bright Pascha of Christ is a joy beyond time and space for us, living people, for all who lived before us, and for all who will live after us. Like a long-awaited spring after a long and cold winter, it warms people’s hearts again and again with Love and Mercy and with God’s infinite love toward man. It gives the renewal of strength and invincible faith and hope.
The grace of the Resurrection, which dwells constantly in the true Church of Christ, never fails, and there is no power in the world that could overcome and take away this main treasure from Her.
And when the Lord allows for His Church to undergo temporary trials and persecutions, She, like gold in a furnace, is cleansed from foreign impurities and, transfigured and Holy even unto the end of the age, shines with an even purer and brighter light.
Dear friends!
I wholeheartedly greet all of you on the Pascha of Christ!
May the Holy Fire, which has shone from the Holy Sepulchre, burn any malice and any hatred in human hearts and help to nurture peace and love in them.
May the Risen Christ give all of us spiritual joy, health, and salvation.
Blessed peace to us all!
Christ is Risen!
