Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen! The resurrected Creator in heaven is praised by angels. With incessant songs they glorify the Conqueror of the devil and death. All the forces of nature rejoice, all the elements triumph and glorify the Risen One. Evil and corruption have been defeated, everything that is filthy, which entered nature during the fall of Adam, disappears. Now all nature will be renewed for incorruption, for the eternal Kingdom of God, in which there will be no filthiness!
The dead now rejoice. Forgotten by them are the illnesses and sorrows that they endured in earthly life. The light of the Trinity illuminates them, their joy is inexpressible in earthly words, life fills them.
The forefathers rejoice, remembering their departure from hades and glorify their Liberator.
The recently departed are amazed at the grandeur of the heavenly triumph and hastily rush to become its participants.
Heavens rejoice, mountains cry with joy! Christ our God, having suffered in the flesh, is risen and gives joy to the world, giving life and renewal to all!
Rejoice now the whole universe!
Rejoice, all nations, all mankind! The gates of paradise are wide open by Christ! He sends the apostles to preach to all nations, to all creation. Let us all rejoice now!
Rejoice, you who have sinned and weep for sins, for forgiveness is given to you.
Rejoice, those who are sick and suffering: the Risen Christ gives health to souls and bodies! Your illnesses and sorrows will soon pass.
Rejoice, persecuted for the faith of Christ and for the truth of God! From Golgotha, Christ extends to you the incorruptible crown.
Rejoice, all children of the Orthodox Church of Christ! Rejoice all on this Bright Day of Resurrection! Let's forgive each other mutual disappointments and insults!
"It is the day of Resurrection, let us be radiant for the feast, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, 'Brethren,' even to them that hate us, let us forgive all things on the Resurrection, and thus let us cry out: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.”
Christ is Risen!
San Francisco - Brussels-Paris, 1963
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.