Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you on this
radiant, beautiful, joyous feast of the Lord's
resurrection. He is the first fruit. Someone
said, what's it mean that Christ is the first
fruits? I said, look at the tree when the fruit
just starts to come. That first one? That's Christ.
The other ones, that's us. He is risen and trampled
death by his death, and we will do the same.
So death has no power over us. We should have
no fear because God has set us free from death,
that stranglehold on mankind. Father Michael
is here, and of course, we want him to say a
few words to edify us and to inspire us. Christ
is risen. Indeed, he is risen. Well, I think
you capsulized what I was going to say. Christ
is risen, my dear people. Indeed, he is risen.
First, I want to give thanks to the Lord and
to you, all of you. who have so graciously extended
prayers and love and cards. And even someone
sent me Pascha this morning. And that was glorious.
You know, we tend to overlook the liturgical
significance of this day. Someone asked me why
Pascha is not considered in the list of twelve
because Pascha is an exceptional exceptional
revelation one that is beyond belief beyond comprehension
but the reality is there as the today The liturgical
hymn says today all creation rejoices and makes
glad for Christ is risen and hell has been destroyed.
Can you imagine what a tremendous significant
overwhelming Knowledge it is to know. That you
and I. Are not destined. To a six foot hole.
But we are destined to be. With the eternal God.
Who has revealed himself. In the Christ. The
Christ who has accepted. All of our sins. All
our iniquities. And went to the cross. Not because
he had to go. And this is the significant thing
of Pascha. Christ did not have to die because
he was sinless. He went voluntarily. He went
voluntarily. Today, the master has despoiled
hell and raised the prisoners whom it had held
from ages to ages in captivity. And the icon
of Pascha shows brilliantly. how our Lord extended
his hands to release Adam and Eve from their
grave and brought them back to paradise. Bless
God in the churches, O Lord, all you who are
Israel's fountain. Let God arise. Let his enemies
be scattered. and let those who hate him flee
before his face. Christ is risen, my dear people.
CHOIR SINGS moment. Thank you. Christos Christos
Christos Christos Christ is risen. Christ is
risen. Thank you. Thank you. Christ is risen.
Christ is risen. Christ is risen.