My greeting to you is the great Russian call to Christian Love which we recite at the Easter Vigil Service here every year!
Today is the Passover! The wonderful Passover has dawned for us! We are released from sorrow! Today, from the tomb, Christ has enlightened us, and has filled the women with joy, saying, “Proclaim the good news to the apostles!” It is the day of Passover! Let us be enlightened with the solemn feast. Let us embrace one another! Let us say “my brother, my sister” even to those who hate us. Let us forgive all things for the sake of the resurrection! In this way we will bear witness that Christ is risen from the dead. Therefore, everyone should enter into the joy of our Risen Savior, and receive your reward, both those who are good and those who are not. You who are rich and you who are poor: hold high festival today. You who are sober and sincere, and you who are indifferent: honor this day. Rejoice today, you who have fasted, and also you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full ladened; feast sumptuously. The calf is fattened; let no one go away hungry. Everyone: enjoy this feast of faith! Receive the riches of God’s loving kindness. Let no one be sorry that he is poor, because the kingdom of God has been given to all of us. Let no one weep for his sins, because the Savior’s death has set us free. For Christ is risen from the dead, trampling out death by death, and to all those who are in the tomb bestowing life!
Happy Easter to you! Kristos Voskrese!
Voistinnu Voskrese!
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
