Peace to you, dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are glad to greet you with Easter greeting: Христос воскрес! Christ is risen!
May we bring to your attention the words of Easter Message 2021 of our Bishop Vsevolod that will be read in all parishes of SELC during the Easter liturgy:
Brothers and sisters,
Our time is dictating to us a new liturgical experience, which could well be called as “Sundays after the coronavirus.” Last year, we had our “first Sunday after coronavirus” right after Easter. We are so lucky that we were able to celebrate Easter! And after that, in many parishes, we had to switch to more frequent private masses. We ministered them in different places – so that you can receive the forgiveness of sins from the priest and commune with the holy Body and Blood of Christ.
We sympathized with those who could not celebrate the liturgy.
We envied those who continued to celebrate the liturgy.
We admired those who found the opportunity to celebrate the liturgy, despite all the obstacles that arose.
We prayed that this time of “Sundays after coronavirus” would end sooner.
And now, although the infection still continues to harvest its victims, most people are tired of being afraid. After all, we are afraid of what we do not know, and when we get used to it, we stop being afraid.
Over the past year, we have realized the most important thing: all the infections of this world are not able to separate us from Christ (Rom. 8:39). No one and nothing will snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). He promised to be with us always to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20).
For this is why He was resurrected, to dwell with His faithful in the Church and here through the Eucharist to fill us with His eternal life (John 6:53-54). So come to church, confess your sins, partake of Christ. And do not be afraid! do not be afraid of anything!
Happy Easter to you, fellow fathers and beloved parishioners!
Christ is risen! Христос воскрес!
And we wish you blessed Easter!