Chairman's Message for Holy Pascha 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
The day of Resurrection; let us be radiant for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, even to those that hate us, ‘Let us forgive all things on the Resurrection,’ and so let us cry, ‘Christ has risen from the dead: by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life’ (Doxastikon of Pascha).
Pascha 2015
To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America
Beloved and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ,
On the occasion of the glorious Resurrection of Christ, and on behalf of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, I greet you with the salvific and joyous message of Holy Pascha: Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
During Holy Week, this blessed period when we are invited to walk with our Savior on the awesome way to the Cross and even to death, we ultimately discover and enter into His Holy Resurrection, and we experience what St. Paul declares to the Ephesians, that God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).
Thus, the very death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ becomes our vital source of life and the compass that guides us through the turbulent waters of our daily lives. In this way, when we sincerely and joyfully proclaim to our neighbor: “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!” we do more than offer homage and respect to God; we become living epistles, tangible examples of faith and hope in the Risen Lord.
During the forty days of Holy Pascha, as we greet one another with the proclamation of the resurrection, let us share the unwaning Light of Pascha with those whose lives have been overwhelmed by darkness and despair. Let us remember in thought, deed, and prayer our brothers and sisters who face persecutions and difficulties in the Middle East, Africa, the Far East, and in all corners of the world. And in so doing, together with our brethren, we may continue to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and become recipients of God’s abundant grace (Acts 4:33).
All the brother Hierarchs, the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, fervently pray that you and your loved ones continue to walk in the newness of life of the Holy Resurrection (Romans 6:4).
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
+Archbishop Demetrios of America
Chairman