Paschal Message of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’

Paschal Message of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’,

to the archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics, and all faithful чадо → children of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord, Your Graces the archpastors, all-honorable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

In all the richness and diversity of human language, there are no words more joyful and more desired for the believing heart than this victorious witness to the triumph of life over death and good over evil.

“Christ is Risen!” – in this glad tidings is concentrated the hidden power of hope and the great assurance of faith by which humanity has lived since the expulsion from Paradise. People lived in expectation of forgiveness, reconciliation, and deliverance – yet the Lord gave incomparably more, for in His love He “provided something better for us” (Heb. 11:40).

The Son of God came into the world and became man, sharing with us all the burdens of earthly existence and drinking to the dregs the cup of suffering, including the bitterest of all – the cup of death itself. “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3), He took upon Himself our sins, voluntarily ascending the Cross.

But could death hold the Creator of life? Could the insatiable depths of hell consume Him through Whom all things came into being that came into being (John 1:3)? “The glory of God appeared in the universe,” writes Saint Ephrem the Syrian, “and illumined the netherworld. Death was destroyed, the gates of hell were shattered, and all creatures who had been in darkness were enlightened by light,” as he hymns the Savior’s victory over death (“Jesus – Light of the World”).

Has it ever been heard that death gives back its prey? And if it did, it returned it only for a time, in order to seize it again later. But Christ, having risen from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him (Rom. 6:9)! He, being the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20), goes before us on this path: “Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:23).

God, Who by His Incarnation renewed human nature and healed it from the wounds of sin, leads us by His Resurrection to still greater blessings. He not only restores to humanity what was lost, granting forgiveness and reconciliation with Himself, but also adopts us to Himself through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5), and to those who believe in His name He gives power to become children of God (John 1:12), and gods by grace.

Together with the springtime renewal of blossoming creation, the wondrous news of salvation again and again spreads throughout the world: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified? He is risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6). The tomb is empty! The Lord is risen, as He said (Matt. 28:6)!

The Pascha of Christ is the inexhaustible source of our great joy – a joy flowing from the love of God for the human race, surpassing all understanding, through which visible and invisible blessings have been revealed to us. The immeasurable power of this sacrificial love extends so far that it conquers hell, opens Paradise, grants forgiveness, and bestows true spiritual freedom.

“Love is strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6), declared Solomon, rich in wisdom. But we, the disciples of Christ, testify with certainty that love is stronger even than death. It overcomes time and space, casts down sin and the power of darkness. Into the Kingdom of love the All-generous Lord calls us – and none may enter there without possessing love in his heart. Therefore let us forgive one another, cast off the chains of mutual resentment and sorrow, be reconciled and embrace one another. Let us show mercy to those in need and comfort the grieving.

Being sanctified by Christ and entering into the wondrous triumph of Pascha, we transfigure the world around us with the incorruptible light of the Resurrection, bringing it into the joy of salvation, which all creation awaits as it longs for liberation into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). Then our very life, lived in unity with the Lord, becomes a true Liturgy – a Liturgy of truly cosmic scale, in which every creature may offer thanksgiving and praise to the Creator, crying out: “Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!” (Resurrection Troparion, Tone 1).

There are many spiritual quests in the world, but only one is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is only one Victor over sin and death. Only One opens Heaven. His name is Jesus Christ, and there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12).

Heartily congratulating you all on the feast of Pascha, I once again and again proclaim to you the life-affirming and eternally strengthening witness that:

TRULY THE LORD IS RISEN!

KIRILL PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS’