« Easter message of Metropolitan Anthony of Korsun and Western Europe, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe »

Beloved in the Lord Archpastors, pious Fathers, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!

On this bright Easter night, I turn to all of you with the words of the eternally living greeting, coming from the depths of centuries - Christ Is Risen!  - and with all my heart I congratulate you with the feast of the Pascha of the Lord!

Having gone through the saving period of the Great Lent, we again became able to witness the greatest miracle that happened because of God's indescribable love for the world and the man He created - the miracle of the rising of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

In these days we share with each other the joyful news of the resurrection of our Savior and, in response, we hear words testifying our common unshakable faith in the triumph of that eternal life that shone from the Life-Giving Tomb.

Let us recall today that the holy Apostles were among the first in the history of the New Testament Church who proclaimed "Christ is Risen!" when they said it to their fellow Apostle Thomas.  Hearing the testimony of the very recent appearance of the Risen Saviour to His disciples, he, at first, did not believe these words.  He did not believe it because the news of the Resurrection of Christ did not change anything in the life of the Apostles - even having seen firsthand their Teacher, they, fearing His persecutors, continued to remain in a small room, seized by fear and horror.  But if Christ is risen from the dead - of whom can we now be afraid?  About what can we grieve?  For what reason can we be sad?  Confession of faith in the Risen Christ becomes convincing only when it is supported by personal spiritual experience, which cannot but determine words and deeds, thoughts and feelings.

I want to wish all of us, dear Masters, Fathers, brothers and sisters, that the Easter exclamation “Christ is risen!”  would always find the strongest and most vivid reflection in our life, bestowing faith and hope, making it possible for us to be partakers of the Divine Love that conquered evil.

I cannot but say today that we all celebrate the Pascha of the Lord in mournful circumstances.  The ongoing epidemic of coronavirus has deprived most of us of the opportunity to visit churches on the most holy and moving days for every Orthodox believer, including the day of the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Staying in our homes, accomplishing the feat of personally standing before God in prayer, we will intensify our urgent petitions to Christ, the conqueror of death, that misfortune should recede, that the sick should be healed, and those who mourn should be comforted.  We believe that the Lord will hear the prayers of His Church and will enable us again to gather together in our churches which are so dear to our hearts, and, as before, to bring the Holy Offering to Him, as well as meet with our relatives and friends, with all those from whom we are separated today.

I want to address special words to the clergy of the Western European Exarchate - to Archpastors and Pastors, who, despite tribulations and challenges, sometimes at risk to their life and their health, do not cease to worship, to support their flock as much as they can, while enduring many hardships.  I bow to you for your loyalty to the priestly vocation and for the example that you courageously display in your service to God and to the Church in these difficult days.

I am addressing these words to you, dear ones, from Moscow, where, due to the circumstances, being unable to travel to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe, I fully share the sorrows of the present time, celebrating divine services in solitude behind the closed doors of the empty church, and with all my heart and soul I abide with you, waiting for our imminent meeting.  I offer my prayers for you and mutually ask for your prayers.

May the Saviour, who has risen from the dead, keep us all in good health.  And may the bright Easter joy, which, in spite of everything, we are experiencing in these days, always illuminate our hearts.

CHRIST IS RISEN!  CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

I call upon you the blessing of the Lord.

+ ANTHONY,

Metropolitan of Korsun and Western Europe,

Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe