Christ is Risen!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

"Now everything is filled with light—heaven and earth and the depths beneath. Let all creation celebrate the Resurrection of Christ!" (First troparion of the third ode of the Paschal Canon)

Once again, the Church sings out in joy, greeting the risen Lord who emerged from the tomb, having triumphed over evil and death. Though we are separated from that radiant morning by distance and by the centuries—thousands of miles and nearly two thousand years—faith transcends both time and space. By the power and mystery of faith, we too become witnesses of the Lord’s Resurrection.

Just as the myrrh-bearing women hurried to the tomb to honor the crucified Lord, we also hear the angel’s message echoing across the ages:

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.” (Matthew 28:5–6)

The joy that fills our hearts as we proclaim the Resurrection is the very fulfillment of Christ’s words to the Apostle Thomas:

“You have believed because you have seen Me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Though we did not see the empty tomb with our physical eyes, the eyes of our soul behold the Risen Lord today. By faith, we see Jesus Christ—risen, glorious, and victorious over death.

For us, the Resurrection is not a distant historical event, nor is it merely a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. It is the very heart of our faith, the cornerstone of our confession. In the Resurrection of Christ, death has been conquered, evil has been broken, and hell itself lies defeated. This is our unwavering hope.

Yet we must remember: before the joy of the Resurrection came the betrayal, the unjust trial, the suffering and crucifixion, and the burial in a cold tomb. We have walked through these solemn events during Holy Week, honoring the Passion of our Savior. And indeed, to the disciples and onlookers, it must have seemed as though all hope was lost—defeated, crushed, extinguished. But in that darkest moment, when evil seemed to reign, it was in fact utterly overcome.

God cannot be defeated. He always triumphs. He is Truth. He is Justice. And His judgment will come to all—rewarding good, condemning evil. No one escapes the judgment of the Lord.

And so, beloved brothers and sisters, even as we celebrate this Holy Pascha in the shadow of wars, upheaval, economic distress, and persecution of many—we still rejoice. We rejoice because Christ is Risen, and in His Resurrection is the promise of our own victory over evil. We rejoice, for we have a living hope of eternal life in Him. Even death is no longer final, for at His glorious Second Coming, death itself will be cast down and all who sleep will rise.

In the light of the Resurrection, we renew our strength, our hope, and our commitment to the truth. We draw power from God to continue resisting darkness and sin—both within ourselves and in the world. Sharing the Paschal joy, bearing witness to our faith, glorifying the Risen Christ—this is how we become beacons of light, dispelling the shadows around us.

Let us share this light with all whom we love. Let us proclaim together:
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!