Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

“Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.” – Paschal Matins

What joyous words we hear, dear brother and sisters, that our Lord is risen! What comfort is given to us! He is risen, having destroyed death and our slavery to the enemy. He has given us eternal life and granted us redemption from our sins. He has destroyed Hades and the grip of the Devil on our souls. Our Lord has not left us to suffer, but gives us over to peace. Glory to Him Who has given Himself for us on the cross, dying for our salvation and rising from the dead!

Although around us we see that the world is full of a lack of peace and great suffering, we look to the Resurrected Lord, Who is greater than that which is miserable. We know that He is here for us and has been since the beginning of time, loving us more than anyone in this world possibly can. God, as our loving Father, cares for us and watches over us, shines His coun- tenance on us and has mercy on us. As the world suffers, let us not forget what He has done for us, nor think that He has left us. Rather, let us remember that He is providing us a path to salvation, seeing His Resurrection as our guide to eternal life in communion with Him.

Dear brothers and sisters, may God bring joy to all of us during this holy season, granting us health, peace and strength, focusing on the salvation of our souls and eternal life, the actual essence of the greatest Feast of feasts, His holy Pascha. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters suffering throughout the world, not losing hope in the One Who has given, gives and will give us the Resurrection-Christ our true God! Truly Christ is Risen! In the Risen Lord, ONEN +LONGIN Bishop of New Gracanica and Midwestern America