Beloved of the Lord Prelate Archpastors, all-honorable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!
On this feast of feasts and celebration of celebrations, which, according to the words of St. Gregory the Theologian, so much surpasses all celebrations, not only human and earthly, but even those of Christ and for Christ, as the sun surpasses the stars (Word 45. On Holy Pascha), it is with great joy that I address to you an ancient and eternally new greeting, familiar to all and at the same time invariably uplifting to our hearts:
CHRISTOS VOSKRESE!
These two life-affirming words contain so much power that they make people's faces shine with spiritual joy and literally transform the reality around us: heaven, earth and even the underworld are filled with light, the visible and invisible world celebrates, for Christ has risen, joy everlasting (canon of the feast).
The Resurrection of the Savior is not just a historical event that we learn about from sacred texts. It is the cornerstone of faith and, in the words of St. Philaret of Moscow, eternal news, a source of reflection, wonder, gratitude and hope (Word on the Day of Holy Pascha).
Through the Incarnation, suffering, and three-day rising, the Savior renews human nature, delivers us from the power of sin and death, opens the gates of the heavenly kingdom to men, and shows us the way to unity with the Creator. It is in Christ, who reconciled the world to God (2 Corinthians 5:19), that we all have the opportunity to be adopted and justified, and to receive eternal life, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved than the name of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead (Acts 4:10-12).
The Savior's rising from the tomb transforms death into immortality, sorrow into joy, doom into hope. On the Cross and in the Resurrection, the God of infinite goodness and perfect love is revealed to us.
The realization of this all-conquering love of God leads us to gratitude to the Creator and gives us the strength to overcome the most difficult mental states and difficult circumstances, raises us above the vanity of everyday life, helps us to correct our previous misdeeds, and helps us to overcome the most difficult circumstances. Often people succumb to the evil thoughts that evil prevails and prevents us from living fully and developing spiritually.
Often people succumb to evil thoughts that evil prevails and triumphs, while good seems invisible and weak. Our minds doubt the power of Christ's atonement when we see the death of loved ones around us, hear about the eternity of torment for sinners from the pages of the Gospel, and observe the world lying in evil (1 John 5:19). But the Church of God has been convincingly testifying for thousands of years: the Savior has conquered sin, destroyed death and emptied hell (St. John Chrysostom. Word of Ophthalmology for Holy Pascha). Christ overcame the inevitability of death and the universality of evil, and we look at their defeat through the eyes of faith from the life of the future age, from the Easter height.
The Lord's rising from the tomb reminds us not only of the most important event of the past, but also testifies to the coming general resurrection, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will also bring those who died in Jesus with Him (1 Thess. 4:14). It is necessary for us, through the fulfillment of the Lord's commandments, through the performance of works of love and mercy, through participation in the sacramental life of the Church, to join Christ's victory and remain faithful to Him to the end, remembering the words of the Holy Scriptures. You need patience, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive what is promised (Hebrews 10:36).
Therefore, beloved brothers and sisters, according to the words of the apostle, do not forsake your trust, for which there is a great recompense to come (Hebrews 10:35). And may the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus be a constant reminder of these unalterable divine promises that give us hope and strength in the most difficult circumstances. May this celebration inspire us all to live in faith and love, knowing that neither death, nor suffering, nor evil can overcome us if we are with Christ and in Christ, who has overcome sin, death and all unrighteousness.
Let us celebrate the Pascha of the Lord with purity of life, good morals and good deeds (St. Athanasius the Great. The Tenth Paschal Epistle), so that, being transformed into a new man in Christ and serving the living and true God, we may wait from heaven for His Son, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:9-10). Amen!
