April 19, 2014
Paschal Epistle of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All
Russia to
the archpastors, pastors,
deacons, monastics, and all faithful children of the Russian
Orthodox Church
Beloved
in the Lord all-honorable archpastors, reverend pastors and deacons,
God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!
On this chosen and holy day, when the world, visible and invisible
(see the Canon of Holy Pascha) glorifies the Prince of life and
Vanquisher of death, I send my heartfelt greetings to all of you
through the Paschal exclamation:
CHRIST IS RISEN!
From year to year, the good news of the Resurrection resounds
victoriously, encouraging us to render praise to God and the Savior,
who has trampled down death by death and has made us participants in
the eternal life to come.
As we celebrate this Feast of feasts and Triumph of triumphs, it is
with a special spiritual feeling that we recall the redemptive act
of the Savior of the world, His sufferings on the Cross and glorious
Resurrection. Pascha is not some beautiful legend, not some
theoretical theology, and not a nod toward a popular custom
established in the distant past. It is the essence and core of
Christianity. It is a victory given to us by God.
From the time of the apostles and up to the present, the Church has
preached Christ’s Resurrection as the greatest miracle in the
history of humanity. She speaks of this miracle not only as a fact
of the Gospels, but – and what is especially important – as a
fateful moment for all those who have received the Paschal good
news. This feast bears the most direct relationship to us, for
Christ’s Resurrection, the Lord’s redemption of the fallen world, is
the greatest joy that the human person can experience. No matter how
difficult our life, no matter what everyday troubles besiege us, no
matter what grief and imperfections we have to endure from the world
around us – all of this is nothing in comparison to the spiritual
joy, to the hope of eternal salvation that God gives us.
As St. Paul says, "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
quicken our mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (cf.
Rom. 8:11).
On this radiant day of Christ’s Resurrection, the souls of millions
of the faithful are replete with thanksgiving to the Creator, and
our earthly life acquires true meaning. Christ’s Pascha is the
greatest triumph of life, a triumph over death, bringing love,
peace, and spiritual transformation.
In celebrating Pascha, every year we open up a new period in our
lives, for the Risen Lord renews human nature, fortifies us in
tribulations, and grants to us strength to accomplish good deeds.
The Paschal message, which has transformed the whole course of world
history, encourages us to be morally transformed, to be spiritually
renewed, which is so essential for modern-day society. It reminds
all people of the sources of Christianity, as well as of the coming
eternal Kingdom, where "God may be all in all" (I Cor. 15:28).
In these radiant days of the Paschal feast, we are called upon to
share our joy with our relatives and those close to us, to show them
active love and mercy. Such are the traditions sanctified by the
centuries, and in following them we testify to our participation in
Christ’s inheritance, and in the belief that the Lord has truly
risen.
Now, as before, the Russian Orthodox Church diligently carries out
Her salvific mission, tirelessly proclaiming God’s truth, affirming
the importance of the Gospel commandments, calling for peace and
harmony, and serving the spiritual unity among the peoples who abide
in the countries under the pastoral care of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Our special prayer today is for the peoples of Russia and Ukraine:
that peace will reign in the minds and hearts of our brothers and
sisters by blood and in faith, so that the ties that have been lost
and cooperation, which is so vital, may be restored.
In proclaiming the love of God which surpasses all knowledge (cf.
Eph. 3:19), Christianity brings people together by overcoming
national, cultural, and political boundaries, for "the light of
Christ illumineth all" (cf. John 1:9).
May the Risen Lord grant that we may all continue our earthly
pilgrimage with benefit for our souls, recalling our lofty Christian
responsibility and vocation to create within ourselves and those
around us a strong faith, sincere love, and steadfast hope. May the
joy of this feast strengthen and inspire us to accomplish good
works, and grant to us the courage and strength amidst the stormy
waves of the sea of life needed to retain our endurance and calm, to
withstand temptation and trials, to overcome, in the words of
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, the hateful strife of this world.
May the light of Christ’s glory that has shone forth from the
Life-Bearing Tomb abide with us and illumine our hearts, extending
to those who near and far, and upon all who are in need of our care
and support.
In congratulating all of you on the great feast of Holy Pascha, I
prayerfully wish for you generous spiritual gifts, physical
strength, and the gracious aid which is from above in our victorious
journey with Christ. Amen.
+KYRILL
Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia
Moscow
Pascha of the Lord
2014 AD
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