This weekend is Orthodox Pascha or Easter when diverse Orthodox communities (Greek, Russian, Serbian, Macedonian, Eritrean, Armenian, Bulgarian, Coptic, Ukrainian and Ethiopian communities) celebrate the resurrection.
Easter Message from the Greek Orthodox Primate, Archbishop Makarios
The celebration of Easter is truly the celebration of the mystery of salvation, accomplished by the saving Passion, the life-giving death on the cross, and the glorious Resurrection of Christ, for, as Scripture exclaims: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The Paschal celebration, however, is not merely a remembrance of the mystery accomplished “once for all” (Jude 1:3). Pascha is the very participation in the fullness of life. Our Lord Jesus Christ declares, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Our participation in the fullness of life given to us by Christ is not only an eschatological hope, which will be fulfilled and perfected in the age to come, in the Heavenly Kingdom, but a present reality offered to us here and now. Christ becomes the very centre of our lives, “for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In and through Christ, we are regenerated and renewed. By divine grace, we are transfigured according to the fullness of Christ. This is the power of the resurrection of Christ, which raises us into newness of life and bestows to us the fullness of life which is in Him.
Wishing all a blessed and joyous Easter, I remain,
Archbishop MAKARIOS, Primate, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia