Beloved in the Lord, all-honourable fathers, brothers, and sisters! 

CHRIST IS RISEN!

I cordially greet you with these joyful and life-affirming words and congratulate you on the great and salvific holiday of the Bright Resurrection of Christ – Holy Pascha – the Easter!

In the days of the Easter celebration, filled with the light of all-conquering Divine love, the incomprehensible and great mystery of the victory of the God-Man over death was accomplished: He took upon Himself our infirmities and bore our illnesses (Is: 53:4), and, having endured suffering and death on the cross, descended to the depths of hell and crushed the gates of brass, uniting Heaven and earth – eternity and time, He opened the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven for us and gave us the joy of eternal life.

And today, filled with gratitude to the Lord, we proclaim to everyone about the great victory of Life over death, Good over evil, and share our Easter joy with our relatives and friends, testifying about the Savior Who rose from the tomb, because the Resurrection of Christ, according to St. Filaret, creates hope, ignites love, inspires prayer, brings grace, enlightens wisdom, destroys every calamity and even death itself !

Sharing with you the good news about the Risen Savior, I prayerfully wish to you, all-honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters, bright Easter joy, fortitude and firmness in faith, peace and prosperity!

May the saving light of the Resurrection of Christ always illuminate our way of life, warm and comfort, illuminate our hearts, inspire good deeds and make us all partakers of His victory, for

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

Bishop of Sourozh temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada