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April 19, 2023

1938 Paschal Message of St. John Maximovitch

 
 Christ is Risen!

Jesus rose from the tomb, as He had foretold.

The Lord is risen... The sealed tomb did not hold Christ back, the soldiers placed at the tomb did not block His way.

He is Risen, as He foretold. What He said, He did. There is no power that can overcome the Lord, no power that can prevent Christ from doing His will.

Sampson gave himself time to be bound, laughing in his heart at his enemies (Judges 15:13). But then, filled with the Spirit of the Lord, he broke the bonds and struck down his enemies.

So the Lord let Himself be bound by death, but then breaking the bonds of death, He broke the gates of hades.

The enemies of Christ rejoiced, they thought that there was no more Christ.

But the Lord arose, as from a dream, and destroyed the machinations of His enemies. He was resurrected alive, the one who was considered dead. He appeared incorruptible, the one who was sealed in a tomb.

Jesus is risen, giving us eternal life and great mercy.

The source of life, the Conqueror of death, by His Resurrection opens the way to the General Resurrection.

By His rising from the dead He gives eternal life to mankind.

Jesus grants us great mercy - the forgiveness of sins, liberation from slavery to the devil, strength to eradicate our vices and weaknesses.

Come, enjoy the graces, accept the gifts of Christ.

Here is the treasury of the gifts of the Lord - New Zion - the Holy Church.

In it is every spiritual wealth given to the faithful. She abundantly distributes gifts to her children, enlightening their minds, purifying their senses, strengthening their will.

Come, let's enjoy the feast of Faith!

The treasures of the Church do not fail, and there is no power that could take them away from her.

The Lord allows His Church to sometimes endure adversity, but even then it shines with its grace-filled light!

“I am with you,” said the Lord, “always even until the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

And regardless of whether we enjoy peace with her in favorable years or endure persecution with her in evil days, the invisible Light enlightens the souls of believers.

And at the time pleasing to the Lord, He reveals His strength, before which the persecutors of the Church cannot stand. God will rise, and His enemies will be scattered!

All the days until the end of the age, the Risen One is with us, and especially on the days of Holy Pascha!

Let us forget temporal sorrows, let us foretaste the eternal joy of the Kingdom of Christ!

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Christ is Risen!

Pascha 1938

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.