To the God-loving hierarchs, reverent clergy, and all the pious children of the Holy Church of Christ Easter Archpastoral greetings
This is the day that the Lord created,
Let us rejoice and be glad in him.
Ps. 117
Your Eminences, honorable fathers, and all beloved brothers and sisters in Christ!
Christ is Risen!
On this great and bright day, we, Orthodox Christians, celebrate Resurrection of Christ, rejoicing at the good news of the Risen Christ, the Conqueror of death and hell.
On this Paschal night, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, we once again proclaim the victory of eternal life over death: “Where is the sting of death? Where, hell, is your victory?” Today we celebrate the victory of Christ, Who came down to earth, suffered for us, suffered crucifixion and death on the Cross, but on the third day he rose and abolished death, filling the whole universe with the wondrous light of eternal life. By His grace, He grants us, in the next year of our lives, to celebrate and joyfully glorify Holy Pascha, and for this good we, sinners, offer Him praise and glory.
Now there is joy for all those who grieve, suffer, are sick, poor, and bear the burden of earthly hardships, because no one is forgotten by the Savior and He gives everyone the opportunity to enter eternal life, into the Kingdom of heaven, where there is no sorrow, no sickness, no sighing. According to the apostle, temporary earthly sufferings are worth nothing in comparison with the glory and joy that will be revealed to us, heirs of heavenly blessings and participants in His eternal glory (Rom. 8:17).
The Apostle Paul calls us to live a pure and holy life in anticipation of the second coming of Christ the Savior: by good deeds, good words and thoughts, we prepare ourselves to give a worthy answer at the Last Judgment. In faith and hope of transmigration from a short earthly life to the heavenly city of God, Jerusalem, let us invincibly preserve our faith, not depart from the commandments of Christ, increase brotherly love, mercy, humility, live in abstinence, in purity of soul and body, since nothing unclean will enter the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27)..
The risen Christ is always with us in the days of sorrow and sorrow, as it has been throughout the history of the Christian Church. There are wars going on in the world today, but it is sinful to despair and be discouraged. Let us remember that the malice of the enemy of the human race is insignificant, because it has been defeated forever, and we must overcome sin, malice, enmity and hatred with the hope of the Risen Christ the Conqueror.
Therefore, no military conflicts, tribulations, or troubles will shake our faith in victory over evil, for the Lord calls to us with the words of the Holy Gospel: “Be of good cheer, for you have conquered the world” (John 16:33). The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the final victory over evil, the guarantee that all the machinations of the devil will be overthrown and defeated, and this faith will bring us the fruits of eternal life.
Let us have peace and love in our soul for all people, including our enemies, and this will serve the cause of world peace. In the words of the apostle: “If it is possible from you, have peace with all men. Do not take revenge on yourself, beloved, but give place to the wrath (of God), for it is written: I will be avenged, and I will repay, says the Lord… Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:18-19, 21).
In these joyful days of Pascha, let us share our joy with each other, feed the hungry, visit the sick, comfort the grieving, and with one mouth and one heart sing the song of victory: “Christ is risen from the dead, tread death upon death, and grant life to the grave.”
I sincerely congratulate you, brothers, on the great Feast of feasts and the Celebration of celebrations — Pascha(Passover) of Christ, and wish you spiritual peace, Paschal joy, Christian love, health and spiritual salvation.
May the grace and mercy of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ and my archpastoral blessing be with you all!
Christ is Risen!
By the grace of God, humble Cornelius,
Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia
City of Moscow
Pascha of Christ
The year of 2025
