Dear in Christ Brothers and Sisters,

Congratulations with the radiant feast of feasts, with the day of Christ Resurrection!

Christ is Risen!

Today we remember how the holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, because of their deep love for their reposed Teacher, came very early in the morning to the tomb to anoint His dead body with precious and fragrant ointments. Their devotion to the Saviour did not pass without reward. Instead of a dead man, they found an empty tomb and were honoured to hear the voices of angels and to see that which they could not even imagine, the living Jesus Christ. Suddenly their sorrow was replaced by joy.

Today you, dear Brothers and Sisters, emulating those wonderful women, have come early to the house of God, to honour not the dead but the living Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. You have brought Him not fragrant oils, but your fasting, your prayers, your silence, your abstinence, and your good deeds which you have nurtured throughout Lent.

May our risen Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, replace all of your sorrows with joy. On this holy night, may He send down on you His grace, so that you may continue to serve Him.

Once again, dear Brothers and Sisters, congratulations with the feast of Pascha!

Christ is Risen!

priest Alexis