2010-04-02
To all the beloved people of our diocese, protected by the grace of God
"Today is the day of Resurrection, so let us be radiant, O ye peoples. For Pascha is the Lord's Pascha. For Christ our God has brought us from death to life, and from earth unto Heaven, and we sing the triumphal hymn."
It is a Paschal message which Christians have proclaimed to one another from ancient times. A speech foreign to the language of the world in which we live. Resurrection, death, life, Heaven and earth! Improbable words and strange expressions!
Yes, the Resurrection: the joy in Christ's victory! Christ rose, and hell was vanquished! Christ rose, and death was banished! Christ rose, and the devil was defeated!
It is a sincere call to mankind to live joyfully, to be filled with exultation, to acquire peace, and for his heart to pulsate with the true meaning of his being and life.
Pascha is a message which presents to mankind questions which touch upon the core of his being: joy, sadness, death, life, Heaven ... matters which have preoccupied human beings from times of old, causing them to seek the truth, and answers to the many questions in their lives.
Pascha is the authentic response, simultaneously, to these enquiries and questionings. God did not create mankind for death and destruction! Thus, after mankind knew sin and then death, Christ returned and showed mankind the true path, so that it was called upon to be a child of light and life.
Christians know that Pascha brings Heaven down to earth and raises earth up to Heaven, understanding this truth in their hearts, so that they respond to the greeting "Christ is risen" with "He is risen indeed". Christians know well that Christ's Resurrection is the foundation of their life, and how this gives mankind a new path and illuminates its senses, thoughts, feelings and entire being.
Finally, I greet you with the Paschal greeting:
"Christ is risen, He is risen indeed"
I pray that you shall have the blessing of the Resurrection and the peace of Christ Who has risen from the dead.
Pascha 2010
† John
Archbishop of Western and Central Europe
Author: Metropolitan John (Yazigi)