WEBVTT 00:00:06.730 --> 00:00:10.109 Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you on this 00:00:10.109 --> 00:00:14.529 radiant, beautiful, joyous feast of the Lord's 00:00:14.529 --> 00:00:17.949 resurrection. He is the first fruit. Someone 00:00:17.949 --> 00:00:20.190 said, what's it mean that Christ is the first 00:00:20.190 --> 00:00:25.910 fruits? I said, look at the tree when the fruit 00:00:25.910 --> 00:00:30.160 just starts to come. That first one? That's Christ. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:35.259 The other ones, that's us. He is risen and trampled 00:00:35.259 --> 00:00:38.719 death by his death, and we will do the same. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.140 So death has no power over us. We should have 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:47.479 no fear because God has set us free from death, 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:52.270 that stranglehold on mankind. Father Michael 00:00:52.270 --> 00:00:55.229 is here, and of course, we want him to say a 00:00:55.229 --> 00:00:58.829 few words to edify us and to inspire us. Christ 00:00:58.829 --> 00:01:02.149 is risen. Indeed, he is risen. Well, I think 00:01:02.149 --> 00:01:08.730 you capsulized what I was going to say. Christ 00:01:08.730 --> 00:01:12.030 is risen, my dear people. Indeed, he is risen. 00:01:13.670 --> 00:01:17.370 First, I want to give thanks to the Lord and 00:01:17.370 --> 00:01:22.719 to you, all of you. who have so graciously extended 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:28.099 prayers and love and cards. And even someone 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:33.159 sent me Pascha this morning. And that was glorious. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:40.579 You know, we tend to overlook the liturgical 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:45.719 significance of this day. Someone asked me why 00:01:48.969 --> 00:01:53.810 Pascha is not considered in the list of twelve 00:01:53.810 --> 00:01:59.010 because Pascha is an exceptional exceptional 00:01:59.010 --> 00:02:08.349 revelation one that is beyond belief beyond comprehension 00:02:08.349 --> 00:02:19.229 but the reality is there as the today The liturgical 00:02:19.229 --> 00:02:27.110 hymn says today all creation rejoices and makes 00:02:27.110 --> 00:02:34.810 glad for Christ is risen and hell has been destroyed. 00:02:35.770 --> 00:02:43.030 Can you imagine what a tremendous significant 00:02:43.030 --> 00:02:49.650 overwhelming Knowledge it is to know. That you 00:02:49.650 --> 00:02:55.189 and I. Are not destined. To a six foot hole. 00:02:56.129 --> 00:02:59.870 But we are destined to be. With the eternal God. 00:03:00.189 --> 00:03:04.509 Who has revealed himself. In the Christ. The 00:03:04.509 --> 00:03:08.669 Christ who has accepted. All of our sins. All 00:03:08.669 --> 00:03:14.449 our iniquities. And went to the cross. Not because 00:03:14.449 --> 00:03:17.879 he had to go. And this is the significant thing 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.520 of Pascha. Christ did not have to die because 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:26.180 he was sinless. He went voluntarily. He went 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:31.240 voluntarily. Today, the master has despoiled 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:36.120 hell and raised the prisoners whom it had held 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:41.080 from ages to ages in captivity. And the icon 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:48.379 of Pascha shows brilliantly. how our Lord extended 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:54.520 his hands to release Adam and Eve from their 00:03:54.520 --> 00:03:59.740 grave and brought them back to paradise. Bless 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:04.020 God in the churches, O Lord, all you who are 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:11.419 Israel's fountain. Let God arise. Let his enemies 00:04:11.419 --> 00:04:16.019 be scattered. and let those who hate him flee 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:20.600 before his face. Christ is risen, my dear people. 00:05:08.850 --> 00:06:38.819 CHOIR SINGS moment. Thank you. Christos Christos 00:06:38.819 --> 00:07:14.689 Christos Christos Christ is risen. Christ is 00:07:14.689 --> 00:08:33.879 risen. Thank you. Thank you. Christ is risen. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:39.100 Christ is risen. Christ is risen.