Beloved brothers and sisters,

Congratulations on this bright and joyful feast of feasts, the Resurrection of Christ!

Christ is Risen!

In the Paschal Canon, we sing the following words:

Lift up thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and see, for behold, there cometh unto thee like God-illumined beacons, from the west, and from the north, and from the sea, and from the east, thy children, in thee blessing Christ unto the ages.

(2nd troparion, Ode 8 of the Canon)

These words are perfectly appropriate for today, for truly, on Pascha, all the children of the Church, even those who never attend services on other holidays, flock to the church of God, not only from all corners of our city, but even from distant places to glorify the risen Christ. These words also apply to you, dear and beloved brothers and sisters, parishioners of our church, who were constantly in the spiritual Zion, that is, in the church of God, throughout Lent and Holy Week. During Lent, you gathered your scattered thoughts, preoccupied with various worldly concerns, and returned them to what is most important in our lives – Christ.

Today, on this feastday, when we have all gathered in Zion to glorify the risen Christ, let us not forget the joy we now feel. Let us strive to maintain the bright spiritual state in which we now find ourselves so that we may always remain with our Saviour.

Once again, I congratulate you on the feast. Christ is Risen!

Priest Alexis