The Holy Church of Christ glorifies [today] …especially dear to Christians – the Myrrh-bearing Women—those blessed companions of Christ who served the Teacher not only with their possessions, but also with the labor of their hands. Devoted to Him with all their hearts, they suffered with the Lord, remaining near Him not only during His travels, but also along the path to the Cross—on Golgotha, at the very foot of the Cross. The remembrance of their self-sacrifice, their labors, and their incomparable and tender love for Christ fills the hearts of the faithful with that same love for the Lord and a fervent desire to serve Him unto death.

(Hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov))

Christ is risen!

Today is a feast of unconditional and sacrificial love for Christ.

We have heard in the Gospel that Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member (member of synedrion) who himself was awaiting the kingdom of God, dared to address Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus.

Joseph was a secret disciple of Christ, one of those Jewish leaders who believed in Him, but were afraid to confess their faith. And so, he managed to overcome fear for the love of Christ.

He dares to come to Pilate. And Pilate was surprised to hear that Christ had already died (one of the first glimpses of faith in pagans…), and he called the centurion (of whom we know, that he really had faith), asked him how soon He had died. And, having learned this from the centurion, he permitted Joseph to take His body.

Then Joseph bought the shroud and wrapped it around the body of Christ, and laid it in the tomb, which he had previously carved in the rock for himself. (isn’t it symbolic!)

While the righteous Joseph and Nicodemus were burying the body of the Savior, the holy myrrh-bearing women were also at the tomb. They understood well that the Pharisees and high priests, having killed Christ, would also persecute those who remained faithful to Him.

But the love is as strong as the death, as the Scripture says (Song of Solomon 8:6).

Love is not thinking of risks: they regretted that the burial was carried out in a hurry and not everything could be done properly. Did anyone rebuke them of this, except their love…?

It was a custom among the Jews to anoint the body of the deceased with an oil, special oil – which is called myrrh — and this was not done by the righteous Joseph and Nicodemus.

And the Gospel says that on the first day of the week after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and Maria of Jacob and Salomia bought those fragrant oils to anoint Him. And early in the morning, at sunrise, they were approaching the sepulcher saying among themselves: who will roll away a stone for us from the door of the sepulcher? They were so eager to do whatever they could for Christ, that they did not think at all about the difficulties and that they would not be able to go inside the tomb.

And so, having looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, though it was very large. Then they went into the tomb and saw an angel as a young man dressed in white clothing. And he said to them: Do not be afraid. Jesus is risen, He is not here. This is the place where He was laid. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He precedes you in Galilee; there you will see Him, as He had told you.

Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies, says the Scripture again (1 Cor. 8:1).

In these Easter days at the Divine Service, we hear the words every day: We have seen the resurrection of Christ, and let us worship the holy Lord Jesus. On behalf of the whole Church, they are sung, but they are fulfilled in the lives of those who love Christ. Like the Myrrh-Bearing women that were given blessings that no one else received, because love appeared to be stronger than death.

Not the Apostles, who knew and saw most of all, became the first witnesses of the Resurrection, but the first to know about him were those who showed more love and fidelity to Christ.

One who loves Christ, is the one who does not collapse if others do not approve of this. This is the one, who steps over his «I» (his self-esteem), over everything «I want» and «I do not want», for the sake of the will of God, not because it must always be pleasant to us, but because it is God’s good will.

May this bright day be our joyful feast. To make this happen, let us join the Myrrh-bearing women and bring to Christ all the love that we are capable of. Amen.

Christ is risen!

(after a homily by priest Mikhail Nemnonov)

Christ is risen!

Dear brothers and sisters, today we hear from the Gospel of John the theologian how Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.

And then we read:

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas, whom people gave this second name Unbelieving… But what kind of unbelief it was, and what kind of person Thomas was?

Before the Passions when it was not a secret, that Jews decided to kill Christ, and because of His intention to go to Jerusalem, when the apostles came to realize what it meant for them, Thomas said: “Let us also go, so that we may die with him.” So, he was ready and even calling others to die with the Lord!

He was ready to give his life with the Lord, …and could Jesus conceive New Life from Thomas?

But we still call him Unbelieving, just traditionally, in some of our liturgical texts (just like we call the younger son of the father who repented – a prodigal son, though he is now a penitent son), and today we think about the faith… And how did the unbelieving becomes believing.

So, the question is: “What can bring us to faith?”

And, ultimately, there’s no answer to this question, as it is a mystery… and only God can bring us to faith in Him… Ultimately. In anyone’s own, unique way… and by his all-conquering mercy. But still… He invites everyone, He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (Tim. 2, 4).

What can bring us to faith?

Let us try to think over the familiar (in both senses of this word) things of this world, that we all might have gone through in one or the other way. (Or we have heard it from someone, or some talks or stories…)

This is about families, about children and parents… The children, that come from their parents and certainly do see them, or at least, know about their existence…

But do they always respect or love their parents. Yes, they see, and they touch, but do they always follow the advice of their parents, even if that advice is vital for them?

We look at the families where love and respect reign; it seems easy and natural, but when parents, driven by love, have to often make their children do many things, those children, not having enough life experience,  but they humble themselves, and, as they feel it, sacrifice somethings, and they ‘suffer it for now’, so that actually – to be helped by the parents.

There must be respect, there must be love and meekness for the parents to help them!

Thomas was ready to die with the Lord – The Lord brought him to faith in Him.

It could be different and unique but, it will always be some kind of sacrifice. Faith is always love! Love is always based on meekness.

And due to what happened to Thomas, we are reasoning about the holy faith, our faith in God, and see why it was revealed to Thomas.

Because we could remember another kind of people who both saw Christ and heard the Gospel proclamation (and remember also the elder son from the parable of the Prodigal Son…), yet remained unbelievers. The first among them were the Pharisees and Sadducees, who understood Who stood before them, Who had come into this world. These people of the Scriptures, who knew the prophecies well, did not accept Christ. Or did they not understand, did they just not want God Who is meek, Who is Love…

And we also today, due to the Thomas blessed disbelief, and for our paschal joy to be perfect, we hear a special blessing, one more beatitude, we could say (or, as some preachers say, making us even more blessed than the apostles):

Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness…

And the “tenth beatitude” (our “hidden knowledge”), very much affordable for everyone – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Provided we have the love and meekness of Thomas, and the due respect as a good child, humbly presuming, that just for now we cannot see or understand some things. Amen!

Christ is risen!!!

Paschal Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia to Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All Faithful Children  of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks  and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

I address all of you, Orthodox Christians living in many countries of the world, who are now in churches or praying in your homes, to extend greetings to you on the great feast of Holy Pascha with my heart full of spiritual joy, and to proclaim victoriously in accord with the ancient tradition:

CHRIST  IS  RISEN!

It is in these very words that the Holy Church has been triumphantly proclaiming the glad tidings of the  God-given salvation for two thousand years. In them  is the fire of our faith, the strength of love, the foundation of hope, the cornerstone of the Church, the heart of the New Testament message to the world, the unfading light of enlightenment and the source of inspiration, the core of Christian life and our entire future.

Whatever happens in our ever-changing, sometimes restless and conflict-torn world, whatever hardships  and ordeals befall us, we know, believe and preach that the Paschal joy in the Risen Saviour remains unfailing and all-victorious.

What is the meaning of this greatest Christian feast?  In the name of what and why did the Son of God come down to earth, take the form of a servant (Phil 2:7),  endure sufferings, being crucified on the cross, and  rise from the dead? And what do we, people of the  21st century, have to do in order to become true  partakers and heirs of Christ’s victory over death?

The Church gives us answers to these questions,  bearing witness that through the Son of God Who was incarnate of the Most Blessed Virgin hell is led captive, Adam is recalled from the dead, the curse is made void, Eve is set free, death is slain, and we are endowed with life (Sunday Theotokion, Stichera at the Praises, tone 2). Truly, the Lord quickens us by His love, delivers us from the fear of death and corruption, heals our spiritual and bodily infirmities, supports us in hardships and trials, comforts in afflictions and sorrows, and helps us follow the path of salvation leading to eternal life when God  will wipe away every tear from [people’s] eyes, and  death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more (Rev 21:4).

Having performed the feat of redemption, through  His sacrifice on the cross and glorious Resurrection  the Lord opened the gates of heaven to everyone.  From then on and to this day, every human being is given an opportunity to wholeheartedly embrace Christ  as the true God and Saviour Who grants blessed strength for leading a life of righteousness and actively participating in the transfiguration of the world.

Reflecting on the feast of Easter, Saint Nicholas of Serbia, a prominent theologian of the past century, wrote,  Christ is risen – it means that life is stronger than death. Christ is risen – it means that good is stronger than evil. Christ is risen – it means that all difficulties in life are resolved (Thoughts on Good and Evil). And this Paschal joy, which is the joy of communion with God and  of building up a new life (Rom 6:4) on the basis  of goodness and justice, touches the hearts of millions of Christians, inspiring them to do works of charity  and mercy, helping to overcome adversities, comforting them in ordeals, giving hope to the desperate and strengthening the faint-hearted.

On the radiant feast of Pascha our special prayers are offered to God for people in combat zones. We as Christians cannot remain indifferent to the troubles  and hardships of our brothers and sisters whose hearts are seared by the fire of internecine strife. So we lift up  our fervent supplications unto the Lord that by His  mercy and loving-kindness He may heal bodily and, above all else, spiritual wounds, give comfort in every sorrow and grant a lasting and just peace to the brotherly peoples that came from one Dnieper baptismal font.

The earthly life of the Saviour was full of labour and sacrificial love for people, and we are called to become like Him in serving our neighbours, since any, even the smallest virtue, every effort to overcome our own selfishness for the sake of another person, draws us closer to God – the Source of life and immortality – and therefore makes us happier.

May the Risen Lord Who in accord with His truthful promise abides with His followers even unto the end  of the world (Mt 28:20) vouchsafe us, sinful and infirm, but thirsting for righteousness and seeking salvation, to inherit the blessed life after we complete our earthly journey, so that in the Heavenly mansions preparedfrom the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34) we together with saints reign in His eternal glory (St Ambrose  of Milan, Hymn “We Praise Thee, O God”). This joyful anticipation of the Kingdom of love to come, of God being everything to every one (1 Cor 15:28) is what  the Church preaches at all times and even more so  in the radiant Easter season.

Let us hearken to the salvific voice of the Church calling us through the Holy Apostle Paul to celebrate Pascha  not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth  (1 Cor 5:8). Let us heed and try to live according  to the Divine commandments, by the truth of the Gospel, our good deeds and our whole life bearing witness  before those near and those far away that Christ is risen  indeed, unto Whom are due all glory, honour and  worship unto the ages of ages. Amen.

PATRIARCH  OF  MOSCOW  AND  ALL  RUSSIA

Easter, 2025

Пасхальное Послание Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла архипастырям, пастырям, диаконам, монашествующим и всем верным чадам Русской Православной Церкви

Возлюбленные о Господе Преосвященные архипастыри,  всечестные пресвитеры и диаконы,  боголюбивые иноки и инокини,  дорогие братья и сёстры!

К вам, православным христианам, живущим во многих странах мира, пребывающим в храмах и молящимся в домах, обращаюсь я ныне, дабы  от сердца, исполненного духовной радости, поздравить  с великим праздником Святой Пасхи и по древней традиции победно возгласить:

ХРИСТОС  ВОСКРЕСЕ!

На протяжении двух тысячелетий именно этими словами Святая Церковь торжествующе возвещает людям благую весть о дарованном Богом спасении. В них – огонь нашей веры, сила любви, основание надежды, краеугольный камень Церкви, средоточие новозаветного послания миру, немеркнущий свет просвещения и источник вдохновения, сердцевина христианской жизни и вся наша будущность.

Что бы ни происходило в изменчивом, порой мятущемся и раздираемом противоречиями мире, какие бы трудности и испытания ни выпадали  на нашу долю, мы знаем, веруем и проповедуем: пасхальная радость о Воскресшем Спасителе остаётся неизменной и всепобеждающей.

Каков же смысл этого главного христианского праздника? Во имя чего и зачем Сын Божий сошёл на землю, принял образ раба (Флп. 2, 7), претерпел страдания, был распят на кресте и воскрес?  И что надлежит делать нам, людям XXI века, чтобы действительно стать причастниками и наследниками победы, одержанной Христом над смертью?

Церковь даёт нам ответы на эти вопросы.  Она свидетельствует, что Воплотившимся от Преблагословенной Девы Сыном Божиим ад пленися, Адам воззвася, клятва потребися, Ева свободися, смерть умертвися, и мы ожихом (воскресный Богородичен на хвалитех, глас 2). Поистине Господь оживотворяет нас Своей любовью, избавляет  от страха смерти и тления, врачует душевные  и телесные немощи, поддерживает в трудностях  и испытаниях, утешает в скорбях и печалях, помогает следовать спасительным путём, приводящим в жизнь  вечную, когда отрёт Бог всякую слезу с очей  людских, и смерти не будет уже; ни плача, ни вопля, ни болезни уже не будет (Откр. 21, 4).

Совершив подвиг искупления, Господь Своей крестной жертвой и славным Воскресением открыл врата рая для всех. С тех пор и доныне каждому человеку даруется возможность воспринять Христа всей душой как истинного Бога и Спасителя, ниспосылающего благодатную силу для праведной жизни и деятельного участия в преображении  мира.

Святитель Николай Сербский, известный богослов минувшего века, размышляя о Пасхе, писал: «Христос воскресе – значит, жизнь сильнее смерти. Христос воскресе – значит, добро сильнее зла. Христос воскресе – значит, все упования христиан оправданы. Христос воскресе – значит, все жизненные трудности разрешены» (Мысли о добре и зле). И эта пасхальная радость, радость богообщения и утверждения обновлённой жизни (Рим. 6, 4) на началах добра и справедливости достигает сердец миллионов христиан, вдохновляет на дела любви и милосердия, помогает преодолевать невзгоды, утешает в испытаниях, даёт надежду отчаявшимся, укрепляет малодушных.

В светозарный праздник Пасхи наши особые молитвы обращены к Богу о людях, находящихся в зоне военных действий. Мы как христиане не можем оставаться безучастными к бедам и лишениям наших братьев и сестёр, сердца которых опалены огнём междоусобного конфликта, поэтому мы возносим ко Господу сугубые прошения о том, чтобы Он по Своей милости и благоутробию исцелил телесные, а наипаче –  душевные раны, утешил всякую скорбь и даровал братским народам, вышедшим из единой Днепровской купели крещения, прочный и справедливый мир.

Как земной путь Спасителя был исполнен трудов и жертвенной любви к людям, так и мы призваны уподобиться Ему в служении ближним. Ведь любая, даже самая маленькая добродетель, преодоление собственного эгоизма ради блага другого человека приближают нас к Богу – Источнику жизни  и бессмертия, а значит, делают счастливее.

Воскресший Господь, по Своему неложному обетованию пребывающий со Своими последователями  во все дни до скончания века (Мф. 28, 20), да сподобит и нас, грешных и немощных, но жаждущих правды  и взыскующих спасения, по завершении земного  пути наследовать блаженную жизнь, дабы в Небесных обителях, уготованных от создания мира (Мф. 25, 34), вкупе со святыми, в вечной славе Его царствовати  (свт. Амвросий Медиоланский. Гимн «Тебе Бога хвалим»). Об этой радости ожидания грядущего Царства любви, когда будет Бог всяческая во всех  (1 Кор. 15, 28), Церковь проповедует всегда, наипаче же –  в светлые дни пасхального торжества.

Внемлем же её спасительному гласу, призывающему нас устами апостола Павла праздновать Пасху не со старою закваскою, не с закваскою порока  и лукавства, но с опресноками чистоты и истины (1 Кор. 5, 8). Внемлем и постараемся жить  по Божественным заповедям, словом евангельской правды и добрыми делами, всей жизнью своей свидетельствуя ближним и дальним, что воистину воскресе Христос, Ему же подобает всякая слава, честь и поклонение во веки веков. Аминь.

ПАТРИАРХ  МОСКОВСКИЙ  И  ВСЕЯ  РУСИ

Пасха Христова, 2025 г.

Yesterday we celebrated Lasarus Saturday, the most incredible miracle, that had ever been performed in the whole history of humanity. Yesterday, Lasarus, Martha’s and Mary’s brother was raised from the dead after having been in the tomb for four days.

But, at the same time, sadly, it is not the greatest miracle, and this is for two reasons: the first and the obvious is that Lazarus still died, later, like any other; and the second reason is that besides physical death, there is spiritual death. Physical death is visible to everyone, and people fear it (and they were so glad to see the resurrection), but spiritual death is usually not noticeable to people at all…

So, Lasarus, a four-days passed away (who was starting to decay), was raised from the dead and the news of this was spreading like a wildfire. Many people thought that finally the Messiah was there! Because only the Messiah can raise man from the dead.

Now he is going to establish an earthly kingdom for people of Israel!

Moreover, they were aware of the prophecy of Zechariah, which says: “Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

According to the custom of that time, the Jews would enter the Holy City on foot during religious feasts. However, in the Old Testament, in the Books of the Kings, there are accounts of how, on certain occasions, it was specifically the kings of Israel who would ride into Jerusalem — and before them, the rejoicing people would spread their garments.

Why does Christ, at the end of His earthly ministry, choose to enter Jerusalem with a measure of glory, something He had consistently avoided before?

Through His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ reveals that He is indeed the true King and Ruler of the world — the very Messiah awaited for millennia, the Savior of the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ manifested Himself in three primary sacred roles: as King, as Prophet, and as High Priest. And the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem is a clear indication of His royal ministry!

And the people greeted Him with such a joy! they cut down palm branches, and laid down their clothes on the roads before Him…

But he wasn’t at all delighted by all of this, and entering Jerusalem he expressed lamentations on the city and its people that hardened their hearts so as not to see what is giving them true salvation… As God he saw the past, the present, and the future at the same time.

And, sadly, his main message was difficult for them to believe – to forgive enemies, to love God and the neighbour, to bless those who persecute, and not to put all hope in this world, to seek rather Heavenly Kingdom, to be trustworthy, not to envy, not to judge…

Christ enters Jerusalem six days before the Jewish Passover. According to the custom of that time, it was precisely during this period that the lamb to be sacrificed and eaten for the Feast was chosen. The holy fathers — for example, St. Ambrose of Milan — saw in the fact that Christ enters Jerusalem on the very day the sacrificial lamb is selected a symbolic indication of Christ’s forthcoming sacrifice. As Scripture says, He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the God “of love and peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11), and thus, although His majestic royal ministry is revealed, He does not ride in on warhorses, but on a donkey — showing Himself to be a humble King.

In five days, the same people started to cry out “Crucify Him! He is not our king; Cesar is our king.” People had expectations of God, people had plans for God, and when God in flesh showed them something different, they rejected Him. This miracle did not happen! People have to labour for it to happen!

The people of Jerusalem did let their passion conquer and vanquish their only hope. They put vain hope in the Roman empire, and very soon they were eaten alive by the Roman empire, and the sad prophecy of Christ was fulfilled.

But we, brothers and sisters, looking to our King and God Jesus Christ, let us imitate and follow Him, understanding that the Kingdom of Heaven is not promised to the glorious and powerful. It is God’s will to make the heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven not those who are mighty and authoritative, but those who are kind and meek. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” says Scripture (Matthew 5:5) — the earth renewed, the earth cleansed from sin and suffering, the earth which Scripture calls the new earth (Revelation 21:1).

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s feast is joyful and triumphant. But let us remember once again: the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem is an entry into suffering! Let our hearts rejoice today, but let our minds remember Christ’s words: “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). To follow Christ not only with palm branches — but also with the cross! Because one can enter into the Paschal Joy of Christ only by going with Him through the Passion Week and Golgotha! Amen!