Hymns of Holy Easter - Holy Resurrection of Christ

Meaning:

The stichera is sung at the very beginning of Easter Matins, before the religious procession. In the Russian Orthodox Church, it was established that Matins begin exactly at midnight - the exact time of the Resurrection of Christ is not indicated anywhere. Exactly at twelve o’clock local time, the clergy, with the royal doors closed, “in a quiet voice” begins to sing the stichera, the second time the stichera is sung loudly, the gates open and the third time the priests sing it halfway - the chant is picked up by the choir, and then by the people.

Believers, singing and ringing bells, walk around the temple and stop at the closed doors of the entrance - like the myrrh-bearing women once did at the closed entrance to the cave where the body of Christ lay.

“And very early, on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb, at sunrise, and say to each other: who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb? And, looking, they see that the stone has been rolled away; and he was very big. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in white clothing; and were horrified. He says to them: do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, crucified; He has risen, He is not here. This is the place where He was laid." (Mk; 16, 2-6).

And symbolizing the Angel who announced the news to the wives about the Resurrection of the Savior, the priest stands in front of the doors and proclaims: “Glory to the Holy Ones, and the Consubstantial One (the existing One), and the Life-Giving One (creating life), and the Undivided Trinity always, now (now) and ever (forever), and forever and ever."

The bright Easter service itself begins with an exclamation of thanksgiving to God.

“Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior” is the most important hymn, this is the first heavenly praise of the risen Savior:

“...We began the celebration with a song in which we confessed that the Resurrection of Christ is sung by angels in heaven, then we asked ourselves for the grace to glorify it with a pure heart, and this song was first proclaimed in the closed altar, when the church was still silent. What does this rank mean? And here you can see the study of the event. The angels recognized and glorified the Resurrection of Christ before men: for men learned it first from the angels” (St. Philaret of Moscow).

According to tradition, the stichera is performed in the 6th tone (a voice is a motive in the liturgical singing of the Orthodox Church, there are 8 voices in total), according to everyday chant.

Hymns of Holy Easter - Holy Resurrection of Christ

Initial stichera of the Resurrection, tone 6:

Your Resurrection, Christ the Savior, / Angels sing in heaven, / and bless us on earth / with a pure heart / to glorify You.

Troparion of Easter, tone 5:

Christ rose from the dead, / trampling death over death, / and giving life to those in the tombs.

Easter start:

First verse: May God rise again, / and let His enemies be scattered.

And for each verse we sing a troparion: Christ is risen from the dead, / trampling down death on death, / and giving life to those in the tombs. (one time).

Second verse: As the smoke disappears, / let them disappear.

Christ is risen: (once).

Third verse: So let sinners perish from the face of God, / and let righteous women rejoice.

Christ is risen: (once).

Verse four: This is the day that the Lord has made, / let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Christ is risen: (once).

Glory: Christ is Risen: (once).

And now: Christ is risen: (once).

Also in the highest voice: Christ is risen from the dead, / trampling down death / and giving life to those in the tombs.

Kontakion, tone 8:

Even though you descended into the grave, O Immortal One, / but you destroyed the power of hell, / and you rose again as a conqueror, Christ God, / telling the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice, / and Your apostle grant peace, / grant resurrection to the fallen.

Honorer of Easter:

The angel cried out with more grace: / Pure Virgin, rejoice! / And again I say: Rejoice! / Your Son is risen / three days from the grave, / and having raised the dead, / people, rejoice.

Shine, shine, / new Jerusalem, / for the glory of the Lord / shines upon you. / Rejoice now / and be glad, O Zion. / You, Pure One, rejoice, O Mother of God, / about the rise of Your Nativity.

Stichera of Easter. Voice 5.

Verse: May God rise again, / and let His enemies be scattered.

Easter / sacred to us has appeared today; / Easter is new holy; / Mysterious Easter; / All-honorable Easter. / Easter Christ the Deliverer; / Easter is immaculate; / Great Easter; / Easter of the faithful. / Easter opens the doors of heaven to us. / Easter sanctifying all the faithful.

Verse: Like smoke disappears, / let them disappear.

Come / from the vision of the woman who brought good news, / and sing to Zion: / receive / from us the joys of the Annunciation, the Resurrection of Christ: / rejoice, rejoice, / and rejoice, O Jerusalem, / having seen the King Christ from the grave, / I happening to the groom.

Verse: So let sinners perish from the face of God, / and let righteous women rejoice.

The myrrh-bearing women, / in the deep morning, / presented themselves to the coffin of the Life-Giver, / found an Angel, / sitting on a stone, / and she preached to them, / in a loud voice: / that you are looking for Zhivago with the dead; / Why are you crying about the imperishable aphids? / Go and preach to His disciples.

Verse: This is the day that the Lord has made, / let us rejoice and be glad on it.

Red Easter, / Easter, Lord's Easter! / All-honorable Easter / risen for us. Easter, / let us embrace each other with joy. / O Easter! / Deliverance of sorrow, / for from the grave this day, / as from the palace, / Christ has risen, / fill women with joy, verb: / preach as an apostle.

Glory, and now, voice 5:

Resurrection day, / and we will be enlightened by triumph, / and we will embrace each other. / Let us cry, brethren, / and to those who hate us, / forgive all by the Resurrection, / and thus we cry: / Christ is risen from the dead, / trampling down death on death, / and giving life to them that are in the tombs.

Like the saints of our father John, Archbishop of Constantinople, Chrysostom, the Catechetical Word on the holy and luminous day of the glorious and saving Christ our God of the Resurrection.

If anyone is pious and God-loving, let him enjoy this good and bright celebration. If anyone is a prudent servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has labored by fasting, let him receive a denarius today. If anyone has eaten from the first hour, let him accept righteous debt today. If anyone comes at the third hour, give thanks and celebrate. If anyone has reached the sixth hour, let him doubt nothing, for he will gain nothing. If anyone has lost even the ninth hour, let him begin without hesitating or fearing anything. If anyone has reached the point, and at the one-numbered hour, let him not be afraid of delay: for this Lord, being of curiosity, accepts the last as he did the first: he gives rest at the one-tenth hour to the one who comes, as he did from the first damn time. And he has mercy on the last, and he pleases the first, and he gives, and he bestows, and he accepts the deed, and he kisses the intention, and he honors the deed, and he praises the proposal. Therefore, all of you enter into the joy of your Lord: first and second, accept the reward. Riches and wretches, rejoice with each other. Abstinence and laziness, honor the day. You who have fasted and those who have not fasted, rejoice today. The meal is complete, enjoy, everyone. The well-fed calf, let no one come forth hungry, all of you enjoy the feast of faith: you all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one weep in misery, for the common Kingdom has appeared. Let no one weep for sins, for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for Savior’s death will set us free. Extinguish that which is kept from her. Captivity of hell, Descended into hell. Grieve him by tasting His flesh. And Isaiah, when he received this, cried out: hell, he who has grieved, will shit on you. Be grieved, for you have been abolished. Be upset, for you will soon be insulted. Be grieved, for you have died. Be grieved, for you have been humbled. Be upset, because I am connected. Accept the body and admire it to God. Accept the earth and tear up the sky. It is pleasant even when you see it, and you fall into it when you don’t see it. Where is your sting, death; where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you have fallen. Christ is risen, and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life lives. Christ is risen, and not one dead man is in the tomb. Christ, having risen from the dead, became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. To him be glory and power, forever and ever. Amen .

Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven! (commentary in the light of faith)

Stichera for the Feast of Easter, tone 6:

Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the Angels sing in heaven, and grant us on earth to glorify You with a pure heart.

Troparion, tone 5:

Christ rose from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tombs.

Kontakion, tone 8:

Even though you descended into the grave, Immortal, you destroyed the power of hell, and you rose again as the Victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and grant peace to Your apostles, grant Resurrection to those who have fallen.

On the night of April 30 to May 1, on the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II performed a series of Easter services in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Before the start of the procession, His Holiness the Patriarch addressed the flock on television:

On this Easter night, I cordially congratulate the archpastors and shepherds, monastics, all Orthodox believers, in the Fatherland and in the diaspora, on the feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and greet all of you with the joyful Easter greeting that comes from apostolic times: Christ is Risen!

I wish that the joy of the holiday touches every heart, that everyone feels the joy of meeting the Risen Lord and Savior. And may this joy give you strength and courage to endure all life’s anxieties, trials, and illnesses. We must realize that the Lord is with us, and if the Lord is with us, then we are not afraid of any trials that arise on our life path.

In a few days, our Fatherland and the whole world will celebrate the anniversary of the end of the bloodiest war - the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which was achieved at the cost of an incalculable number of victims. We all must remember the feat that our fathers and grandfathers accomplished for the liberation of our Fatherland and the whole world from fascism. I congratulate you all on this upcoming holiday. We remembered this unprecedented feat when we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Victory, and we remember it today when we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. Let the citizens of Russia, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the feat of their fathers and grandfathers, and subsequent anniversaries of the Great Victory, forever remember the great courage that our people showed in the fight against fascism. This courage must be cultivated by the younger generation, which does not know the horrors of war, does not know the suffering that their fathers and grandfathers endured while defending our Fatherland.

Once again I wish everyone a bright and joyful Easter holiday. It is significant that on Victory Day, 60 years ago, we celebrated the end of the war during the Easter period. And now we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory during the Easter celebrations, rejoicing in the Risen Lord Savior and believing that the Lord will continue to grant us victory over sin, grant us His grace and His mercy. I wish you all joy in the Risen Lord, peace of mind, health and God’s help in all your affairs and throughout your entire life’s journey.

Happy holiday! Christ is Risen!

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church led the Midnight Office and the Procession of the Cross, after which he performed Easter Matins and the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Concelebrating with His Holiness were Archbishop Arseny of Istra and Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov.

The Easter service was attended by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Efimovich Fradkov, Head of the Presidential Administration Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District Georgy Sergeevich Poltavchenko, Moscow Mayor Yuri Mikhailovich Luzhkov, and other prominent government and public figures.

The patriarchal service was broadcast on central television channels. Before the start of the procession, His Holiness the Patriarch addressed the flock on television.

During the procession of the Cross, Bishop Savva of Krasnogorsk handed over to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church the Holy Fire, delivered to Moscow from the Church of the Life-Giving Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

According to ancient tradition, during Easter Matins, His Holiness read the Catechetical Word of St. John Chrysostom.

At the end of Matins, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy addressed Easter greetings to the President of Russia V.V. Putin, state leaders and participants in the service:

"Christ is Risen! I cordially greet the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who a few days ago visited the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem and prayed at the Life-Giving Tomb of the Savior, offering prayer for the Fatherland and our people. Your presence now at the Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is especially significant for us: you seem to be conveying a blessing from the shrine in front of which you prayed during Holy Week.

This year, like 60 years ago, the Victory Day is celebrated during the Easter period, when we glorify the Risen Lord Savior. Celebrating this common holiday for all of us on the days of Holy Easter, we again and again remember the great feat of our fathers and grandfathers, who forged Victory together, without being divided by either nationality or religious views. Decades will pass since these great days, but we must remember the innumerable sacrifices that our people made for the sake of Victory. Remembering this national feat has enormous educational significance for all of us, especially for the younger generation, for those who did not bear the enormous hardships and hardships that our fathers and grandfathers bore on their shoulders.

On behalf of all the people of God, I would like to congratulate you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, as well as the Head of Government, Head of Administration, Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District, and the Mayor of Moscow on the holiday of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. May the joy of the Risen Lord strengthen you in the feat of serving the Fatherland and our people. God grant that the great date - the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War - unites us all in remembering the enormous feat that our people accomplished. Christ is Risen!".

Before the start of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy said:

“The Holy Fire was delivered to the procession from the holy city of Jerusalem, which, according to an already established tradition, is brought annually to Moscow, and from the capital city is sent to the cities and villages of our Fatherland. And today we will open the vessel with this shrine and give the opportunity for the fire that miraculously descended on the Life-Giving Sepulcher of the Lord to spread among the believers, and some pilgrims will take it to their homes.” Then His Holiness lit candles from the Holy Fire and distributed them to the participants in the service.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Easter message of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' to the archpastors, pastors, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church was read out.

At the end of the Easter Liturgy, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrated the artos and once again congratulated the participants in the service on Easter:

I congratulate my fellow archpastors, all-honorable fathers, all of you, dear brothers and sisters, on the holiday of the Bright Resurrection of Christ!

Thank God, we have lived to see the Easter holiday and solemnly celebrate and meet the Risen Lord Savior! I prayerfully wish you all joy in our Risen Lord. I wish that He would grant all of you, your families, your loved ones peace, mental and physical health, so that each of us would feel that God is with us, Who has risen, Who has come to earth, and has accomplished a redemptive feat for us for the sake of man and for our salvation. May this joy in the Risen Lord and our Savior strengthen us in life’s sorrows, difficulties and sorrows. We must feel that the Lord is with us, and with the Lord we are not afraid of any trials.

I greet you again and again with the joyful Easter greeting coming from the times of the apostles: Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

I wish you all a bright, joyful, saving holiday of Easter, dear brothers and sisters!

Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin sent congratulations to His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II on the occasion of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. The message says:

“Your Holiness! I cordially congratulate you on the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

Many years of fruitful activity as Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church have earned you high authority and respect in society. Citizens of Russia appreciate your tireless concern for preserving civil peace and harmony in the country, developing interreligious dialogue, and strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of society.

With all my heart I wish you health and new successes in your responsible service for the benefit of Russia.”

On May 1, on the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' celebrated Great Vespers in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Concelebrating with His Holiness were Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna, Archbishops Gregory of Mozhaisk, Arseny of Istra, Eugene of Vereisky, Chairman of the Educational Committee at the Holy Synod, Alexy of Orekhovo-Zuevsky, Bishops of Kirinsky Athanasius, representative of the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Niphon of Philippolis , representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and the whole East under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Arkady (Afonin), Nikon (Mironov), Savva of Krasnogorsk, Tikhon of Vidnovsky, Feognost of Sergiev Posad, Veniamin of Lyuberetsky, Mark of Yegorievsky.

Easter Vespers was broadcast on television.

At the end of the service, the Primate accepted the traditional Easter congratulations from the archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, clergy and laity of the Mother See of Moscow. Congratulating His Holiness the Patriarch on behalf of the Holy Synod and the entire Plenity of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna presented His Holiness with an Easter egg with images of Christ’s Easter and two glorious historical anniversaries celebrated this year - the 60th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 625th anniversary Battle of Kulikovo.

Addressing the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church with Easter greetings, Metropolitan Yuvenaly said:

“Today on Easter night we entered into the joy of our Lord, celebrating His three-day Resurrection. And this evening, in spiritual joy, we stand next to you, continuing to celebrate God’s saving Easter.

In the Gospel narrative, read today during the evening service, the words of the Apostle Thomas sounded dissonant, who, amid general joy, having heard from his brothers and myrrh-bearing women the news of the Resurrection of Christ, replied that he would not believe this news until he himself put his hands to the wounds Savior. And we know that eight agonizing days passed for the Apostle Thomas before he exclaimed: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Our people are somewhat similar to him. Not for eight days, Your Holiness, but for fifteen years, with sacrificial love and enthusiasm, you have been preaching the Gospel word in our land, preaching to a people who for several decades have been in an atmosphere of atheism. As a result of the missionary and educational activities of the Holy Russian Church, of which you are the Primate, millions of our fellow citizens have returned to their fatherly faith. But we know that to this day not everyone can say like the Apostle Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Therefore, I would like to wish a lot of Divine help to you as the High Hierarch of the Russian land, so that our Church, inspired by your living example, your selfless, sacrificial service, continues to turn to those who have not yet known the joy of Communion with God, so that in due time they will be able to say together with Christ disciple: “My Lord and my God.”

Allow me on this Easter evening to warmly and cordially greet you on behalf of the Holy Synod, from the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Synodal institutions, Theological schools, holy monasteries and your multi-million flock, in Russia and in the diaspora, from the representatives of the Orthodox Local Churches under your Patriarchal Throne . We pray to the Lord, the Giver of Life, to multiply your strength to infinity so that you will continue to lead our Church to the salvation of people, to the revival of spiritual life in the Fatherland. Christ is Risen!".

His Holiness the Patriarch addressed Metropolitan Yuvenaly and all those gathered in response:

“Your Eminence, I sincerely thank you for the congratulations that you conveyed on behalf of the members of the Holy Synod, on behalf of the episcopate of our Church, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches located in Moscow, the monasteries of the Russian land, Synodal departments, Theological educational institutions and the entire Fullness of our Holy Churches. Thank you, you always put special content into the Easter gift. And this time it reflects the two anniversaries that we are celebrating this year. Your current Easter gift today reminds us not only of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, but also of two glorious anniversaries of our history - the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 625th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo.

We are all aware of the living connection with the history of our country. Only in unity with her can we truly feel that we are the successors and heirs of our glorious ancestors. Among them are a host of Orthodox ascetics, including St. Sergius, who blessed the holy Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo, as well as millions of Russian soldiers who gave their lives defending our Fatherland. 60 years have passed since the Great Victory, but I think that for many years to come, the people of Russia will keep the memory of the unprecedented feat that our fathers and grandfathers showed by standing up to defend the Fatherland from fascism and giving their lives for the sake of the Great Victory. The victory was achieved at a high price - many millions of our compatriots sacrificed their lives for it.

Thanks to the unparalleled feat of our fathers and grandfathers, we today have the opportunity to build a renewed life in our Russia and create the work of its spiritual revival. Its visible symbol has become the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, in which we perform Easter services. Today, on Easter night, in a conversation with the mayor of Moscow Yu.M. Luzhkov, we talked about the fact that if there were no Cathedral of Christ the Savior, we would have nowhere to hold such large-scale services, which attract many believers, and to properly celebrate memorable dates in history our country.

But hundreds and thousands of other churches in Russia and its capital are being revived. Yesterday, on the eve of Easter, I traditionally visited nine parishes in the city of Moscow in new, so-called “dormitory” areas. In one of them, the first service took place on Easter. I saw hundreds of people flocking to this temple, beginning their life of prayer, their service to our long-suffering people.

Not all people have yet been touched by the news of the Risen Lord Savior; many still cannot exclaim with the Apostle Thomas: “My Lord and my God.” Therefore, archpastors and shepherds must not weaken in their service and deeds, enlightening our compatriots with the light of the faith of Christ. The missionary activity of the Church is one of its most important ministries today. It is gratifying that now we can testify: more and more people in Russia are realizing that they cannot live without God, and are returning to the fence of the Church of Christ, where their ancestors prayed, found consolation and spiritual support.

Throughout the thousand-year history of Russia, the Orthodox Church has always been with its people, sharing their difficulties and their joys. It was so in the past, and it will be so in the future. And we hope that our common efforts will continue to bear good fruit. I prayerfully wish Your Eminence, all archpastors and pastors, monastics, workers in the field of spiritual enlightenment, missionaries of our Church, representatives of Local Orthodox Churches who contribute to the enlightenment of our people, that the Lord gives us all the strength and courage to perform this service and grants us to see that our words and our efforts resonate in the hearts and souls of our compatriots.

The joy of Easter of Christ is shared with us by millions of people living in the vastness of Russia from the Far East to the western borders of our Fatherland and in the wider world. Many of our compatriots ended up abroad due to various circumstances. More and more Orthodox parishes are being created in the countries where they live. In them, our compatriots find a living connection with their Motherland, get the opportunity to feel that they are not orphans, that they are not alone, although they live in a foreign land, among people of a different language, a different culture, and other religions. Our compatriots abroad receive from the Church strengthening of strength, a charge of spiritual vigor, which they so need.

Thank you to everyone who today, on this evening of the first day of Easter, shared the prayer with Us at the Easter Great Vespers. May the Risen Lord strengthen us all with His grace in bearing the cross of life, in growing in Christian virtues, so that our life sets an example for those around us, as the Lord said: “So let your light shine before people, so that they see your good deeds and glorify the Father your Heavenly" (Matt 5:16).

In conclusion, I want to greet you all again and again with a joyful Easter greeting. It passes from generation to generation, from generation to generation. It came to us from the times of the apostles, it consoles us, gives us hope and faith that the Risen Lord is with us. And if the Lord is with us, and we are with the Lord, then we are not afraid of any difficulties, hardships and trials. Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!”

The participants in the service received the Primate's blessing and exchanged traditional Easter gifts with the Primate of the Church.

Easter message of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' to archpastors, pastors, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church

We were buried with Him through baptism into death,
so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Rome.
6, 4 Beloved in the Risen Christ, Your Graces, the archpastors, all the priestly, deaconal and monastic ranks, God-loving children of our Holy Orthodox Church! Greeting each of you with an Easter kiss, I address to you words full of inexpressible joy:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Today we celebrate the greatest of holidays, we celebrate the most beautiful of holidays. The bright Easter joy shining in our hearts warms us among earthly worries, inspires us to live in goodness and love, and gives us a premonition of our own future resurrection. The Lord opens to everyone the gracious source of this joy and does not ask today at what hour who went out to do their work. He knows His faithful who have labored from the first hour, but He also knows that those who came to the eleventh hour have overcome, perhaps, the most difficult part of the journey. And there is no deed more pleasing to God than to bring this holy joy to those who do not know it, whose souls have not yet been illuminated by the imperishable light of Christ’s Pascha. And this luminous, transforming, life-giving joy will roll away the stones from the coffins in which their souls are sealed.

Turning the jubilant Easter hymns to the One risen from the dead, the Firstborn among the dead (1 Cor. 15:20), we ourselves feel the miracle of the resurrection: we are no longer spiritually dead, but Alive by the grace of God, who redeemed us from sin and the death that made us in Christ a new creation.

This miracle is performed by the love of the Risen Savior, who defeated death by the Feat of the Cross. For the salvation of humanity, which had deviated from God’s plan, the Creator of Life descended into hell, humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on the cross, and gave us the New Easter - a mysterious transition from death to Life, from darkness to light, from earth to the eternal Kingdom of God. And this transition opens up for us already in this temporary life of ours, if in our earthly journey through prayer and humble acceptance of the will of God, through works of mercy and service to others, we unite with Christ.

Freeing ourselves from sinful captivity, rushing with all our might towards the shining light of Christ, we make our lives more beautiful, for we multiply eternal riches in our souls - according to the word of Scripture: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves They don’t break into or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

The revelation that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) is the greatest gift of the Incarnate Son of God to humanity. Love transforms, purifies and sanctifies everything around us. And we, following the Savior’s commandment about sacrificial, selfless love for people, join in with Divine love, which, having flared up in our hearts, will fill our entire Life with unquenchable Easter joy. Then the apostolic words will be fulfilled on us: “Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

Let us walk the path of salvation without laziness and unswervingly. Yes, this path is always thorny and narrow. And it is no coincidence that many in the world around us have left this path, clouding their spiritual vision with the desire for power and glory, comfort and possession of earthly treasures, unbridled consumption and endless entertainment. The Church knows that such a road leads a person to a dead end and will never make him happy. The path of Christ, the path of bearing the cross and resurrection, leads us to the light that shone from the life-giving Sepulcher of the Lord. To live in this light means to overcome any sorrow and sorrow, to have the fullness of peace and joy.

Beloved! Let us, according to the apostolic covenant, “walk in newness of life.” Let us reject enmity and strife, sinful habits and spiritual relaxation. Every day and hour of our life let us fulfill the commandment of Christ: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

There are many people among us who are in dire need of help and care. These are our elderly fellow citizens, victims of wars, crimes and natural disasters, those who suffer from illness, poverty, loneliness, orphanhood, and homelessness. Let us bring to each of them, as an Easter gift, our active love, our mites and works of mercy.

“The Day of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,” writes St. John Chrysostom, “is the foundation of the world, the beginning of reconciliation, the cessation of hostilities, the destruction of death, the defeat of the devil.” May the Easter of Christ bring peace where blood is shed and hatred flares up. Let all the people of the Earth extend to each other the hand of brotherhood and cooperation for the common good. I assure everyone that the Russian Orthodox Church will work for the blessed reconciliation and harmony of the entire human race. In this ministry, we are invariably open to joint work with the state and diverse social forces, with people of different faiths and convictions.

In a few days we will solemnly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. In those difficult years, on the verge of life and death, the holy Orthodox faith awakened with renewed vigor in the soul of the people. For many of our compatriots, this was the beginning of a new life - life in Christ. Then the radiant Feast of Easter also fell on the days of May and preceded the national holiday of the Great Victory. Christ the Savior blessed His people who turned to Him with peace (Ps. 28:11).

Beloved in the Lord, archpastors, shepherds and children of the church, on this bright and holy day I heartily congratulate you all on the Feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ! Now, when the hearts of Orthodox Christians are filled with Easter joy, I hasten to share it with all our brothers and sisters - Orthodox, Christians of other confessions, every person, near or far.

Again and again I ask all clergy, monastics and laity of our Holy Church to improve in faith and good deeds, “so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever and ever.” Amen" (1 Pet. 4:11).

CHRIST IS RISEN!
CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN!
+ALEXIY, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL Rus'

On May 1, on the day of Easter, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II addressed television viewers with an Easter greeting:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

With all my heart I congratulate you all on the bright holiday of Holy Easter.

With His suffering on the Cross and Resurrection, Christ redeemed humanity, freed each of us from slavery to sin, defeated death and opened the way for people to Heavenly Father. This difficult but saving path also lies through our relationships with our neighbors. That is why the joy of the Easter celebration for us will be complete if we share this joy with those who surround us in our daily lives: with family and friends, friends and acquaintances. May quarrels and mutual enmity subside on these holy days, and may peace, love and respect for each other reign in our souls.

Let's not forget those who are grieving, who are sick, everyone who needs our support and human participation. Let's warm them with brotherly love! After all, Christ came into the world, suffered, and rose from the dead precisely so that we “have unfeigned love.”

In a few days, our Motherland and the whole world will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Victory. The war brought untold suffering to our people. People of my generation remember that during the war years faith was revived; people who had been through the trenches and concentration camps flocked to the newly opened churches. And among those who today celebrate the Holy Resurrection of Christ there are those who went through front-line trials or experienced the horrors of war as children and teenagers. May peace reign in their hearts now. May their old age be dignified. New generations – their children and grandchildren – must take care of this.

Millions of Orthodox Christians outside Russia celebrate Easter with us - in Ukraine and Belarus, in the Baltic states and Western Europe, all over the world. We pray that divisions, conflicts and schisms will not darken the lives of our fellow believers. I urge the authorities and politicians who are entrusted with the fate of people to remember their responsibility before God and history.

I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, God’s help in all your good deeds and undertakings, peace and happiness to your homes, bright joy in the Risen Lord. Happy holiday to you!

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY IS RISEN!

Like the saints of our father John, Archbishop of Constantinople, Chrysostom, the Catechetical Word, on the holy and luminous day of the glorious and saving Christ our God of the Resurrection

If anyone is pious and God-loving, let him enjoy this good and bright celebration. If anyone is a prudent servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has labored by fasting, let him now receive a denarius. If anyone has eaten since the first hour, let him accept righteous debt today. If anyone comes after the third hour, let him celebrate with thanks. If anyone has reached the sixth hour, nothing will doubt him; for it takes nothing away. If anyone has lost even the ninth hour, let him approach without hesitation or fear. If anyone has reached the point even at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid of delay: for this Lord is loving, and accepts the last as he did the first: he rests in the eleventh hour the one who has come, as he did from the first hour; and he has mercy on the last, and pleases the first, and gives to this, and grants to this; He accepts deeds and kisses intentions; He honors the deed and praises the proposal. Therefore, let all of you enter into the joy of your Lord: both first and second, accept the reward. Riches and wretches, rejoice with each other. Temperance and laziness, honor the day. You who have fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice today. The meal is complete, enjoy it all. A well-fed calf, let no one come forth hungry; All of you will enjoy the feast of faith; You all receive the wealth of goodness. Let no one weep in misery: for the common Kingdom has appeared. Let no one weep for sins, for forgiveness has come from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the death of Savior will set us free. Extinguish you, those who are kept from her. Captivity of hell, Descended into hell. Grieve hell, having tasted its flesh. And Isaiah, who was undertaking this, cried out: hell, he says, grieving, he will shit on you. Be grieved, for you have been abolished; be grieved, for you have been reproached. Be grieved, for you have died. Be grieved, for you have been humbled. Be upset, because you are connected. Accept the body and admire it to God. Accept the earth and destroy the sky. It is pleasant to see the hedgehog, but to fall into the hedgehog not to see. Where is your sting, death? Where the hell is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are cast down. Christ is risen, and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life lives. Christ is risen, and not one is dead in the tomb. Christ, having risen from the dead, became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh (Bloom)

Homily on the day of Easter (April 14, 1985)

Christ is Risen!

The Holy Apostle Paul in one of his epistles says: if Christ has not risen, then we are the most unfortunate of all people... And indeed, if Christ has not risen, then all our faith, everything that we call our spiritual experience, is built on lies or on illusions.

And Christ is truly risen! We know this from personal experience; not only tens, not only thousands, but millions of people have experienced in their lives the living presence and touch of Christ Himself. But we also believe in His carnal, bodily resurrection, to which the apostles testify, saying that they narrate what they saw with their own eyes, heard with their own ears, and touched with their own hands (1 John 1:1).

And indeed, the myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, and an angel called them to enter and testify that the tomb was empty; Peter and John came after them and also discovered the empty tomb and the shrouds with which Christ was wrapped, lying devastated, empty, because the body of Christ was no longer there. And Christ appeared again to His disciples: He ate with them, He spoke with them, they touched His resurrected body, they learned through their experience, their bodily experience, that Christ was not a spirit, not a ghost, but their Teacher resurrected in the flesh, who had conquered death. And really: what’s surprising about this? If we truly believe that Christ was the Son of God, God Himself, who came in the flesh to save the world, then it is difficult to believe in His death, but it is easy to believe in His resurrection. How could Christ die in body, being Life itself, how could Christ remain captive to death, being triumphant, eternal Life?! Therefore, let us greet each other with joy and faith, knowing that Christ was resurrected in His flesh and that this is the promise of our resurrection in due time. Death has ceased to be a subject of fear for us: it is an opening door to eternity; and when the time comes, the voice of God, which called everything that exists into existence, will thunder, and we will all rise again in flesh and spirit, and we will sing to the Lord an eternal song of joy, triumph and thanksgiving!

Christ is Risen!

Holy Resurrection of Christ - Easter of the Lord

On April 19, 2022, all Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of Feasts and the Solemnity of Solemnities, joyfully proclaiming: “Christ is Risen!”

"Christ is risen from the dead"

“Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven, and grant us on earth to glorify You with a pure heart.”

“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tombs.”

All Orthodox Christians know these two key Easter hymns - the stichera and troparion of the most important church holiday. Everyone who came to Easter Matins at least once in their lives, who went through a solemn religious procession around the temple on the brightest night of the year. “Bright” not in the sense of the northern “white nights,” but illuminated by the unearthly, gracious light of the Risen Christ.

Myrrh-Bearing Women. Photo: www.oopnm.ru

At these moments, we are not just in this or that city or village, and not just on April 19, 2022 (I hope, the only year when most Orthodox Christians will be deprived of the opportunity to pray in churches), but outside of time and space. Mysteriously, we are also in the Holy City of Jerusalem on that very day when none of Christ’s disciples knew that the Lord had risen from the dead, but only the Angels in Heaven glorified His Resurrection. And the very next day the holy myrrh-bearing women learned about this. This is how the Apostle-Evangelist Mark describes it in the Gospel:

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary of James and Salome bought spices to go and anoint Him. And very early, on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb, at sunrise, and say to each other: who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb? And, looking, they see that the stone has been rolled away; and he was very big. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in white clothing; and were horrified. He says to them: do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, crucified; He has risen, He is not here. This is the place where He was laid..."

And we today, so different and so identical in our Easter feelings, in some ways close to those holy women who were the first to learn about the Resurrection of Christ. And if someone did not observe Lent, then he should also be reminded of the words of St. John Chrysostom, which are read on this holy night. In his catechumen teaching, the great teacher of our Church says that without any doubt or fear everyone should enjoy this celebration:

Temperate and careless, honor the day! Those who have fasted and those who have not fasted, rejoice today! The meal is full of food! Enjoy everyone! Taurus is huge: let no one leave hungry! Everyone, enjoy the wealth of goodness! Let no one cry from poverty, because the common kingdom has appeared! Let no one mourn for sins: forgiveness has risen from the grave! Let no one fear death, because the death of the Savior freed us!

“Trampling death upon death and giving life to those in the tombs”

Photo: 5ph/www.shutterstock.com

The whole meaning of the Lord's Easter lies in Victory over death. Almost every family decides to paint Easter eggs, but not everyone has thought about the symbolism of this ancient custom. But an ordinary chicken egg in itself symbolizes the coffin and resurrection. Well, the red color, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s deep scarlet from aniline dyes or orange-purple from onion peels, is the Blood of the Crucified Christ. And, of course, one cannot help but recall the legend of how Saint Mary Magdalene presented Emperor Tiberius with an Easter egg with the words “Christ is Risen!” According to one version of this legend, the egg itself turned red when the pagan emperor doubted the Miracle of Christ's Resurrection.

Photo: www.pravoslavie.ru

Easter is an opportunity to feel that there is no death

It was the Savior’s death on the cross that atoned for the sins of all people. And when we see in the icon of Christ, who descends into hell and saves our ancestors Adam and Eve from there, we must understand the whole deep meaning of this image. After all, even the Old Testament righteous, because of the fall of their forefathers, were in hell before the Resurrection of Christ, and it was the Savior, “who gave life to those in the tombs,” who gave eternal life to all those who had previously died. And today every Christian must remember that there is no death, that earthly dying is the beginning of eternal life. Probably, a contemporary of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, Metropolitan Nikolai (Yarushevich) of Krutitsky and Kolomna, said this better than many other preachers in one of his sermons in 1946:

There is no death, but one must prepare for death all one’s life, because death is the door to eternity. What a great, incomparable happiness this is - our immortality! Saint Gregory the Theologian, discussing immortality in one of his sermons, says: “My spirit freezes when I imagine the endless future that lies before me.”

And here it is very important to remember that the most important thing for which we must prepare throughout our lives is the salvation of our souls and their union with God. This is precisely what lies not just the key, but the only meaning of the earthly life of every Christian. Life, the center of which is today's Holiday.

Congratulations to Orthodox Christians on the Bright Resurrection of Christ - the Easter of the Lord! Christ is Risen!

"Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior"

Share

Photo of the choir from the international festival of church music "Hainowka"
The Easter service begins with a religious procession. The priest, together with clergy and parishioners, solemnly walk around the temple, carrying the Gospel, candles and icons in their hands. The Easter religious procession is an ancient tradition. It arose in the first centuries of Christianity, when baptism was performed mainly on adults. Preparation for the sacrament could last several years in those days. And baptism itself usually took place on the eve of great holidays. First of all, on the eve of Easter. Baptism took place in open reservoirs or special churches - baptisteries. Having accepted the sacrament, the newly baptized went to the main temple of the city. They did not walk alone, but in a single procession, which became the first procession of the cross in history. People who received the sacrament went to the temple, chanting special prayers. We still hear one of them today before the start of the Easter service. According to its first words, it is called “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior.” Priest Anthony Borisov tells us more about the content of this prayer book.

Most of the chants of the Easter service were composed by the great church poet, John of Damascus. Saint John was born in the seventh century and grew up in the Persian Empire. At first he held a government position, and then retired to a monastery, where he wrote his famous liturgical chants. One of them is the prayer with which the Easter service begins. Its Church Slavonic text reads:

“Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven, and grant us on earth to glorify you with a pure heart.”

The translation into Russian is as follows:

“Your resurrection, Savior Christ, the angels sing in heaven, and deign us on earth to glorify You with a pure heart.”

The prayer is sung many times at the very beginning of the Easter service, before the religious procession. In the Russian Orthodox Church, it is customary to begin Easter services at midnight. Exactly at twelve o'clock at night local time, the clergy, with the royal doors closed, quietly begins to sing “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior.” The second time the prayer is also sung by the clergy, but louder. The royal gates open. For the third time, the priests sing “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior” until halfway through - the chant is picked up by the choir, and then by all the parishioners.

The prayer “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior” has become a real symbol of the Easter service. It is sung not only at the beginning of the service, but also throughout the procession. The chant calls on everyone who comes to the temple to greet the Resurrection of Christ with a bright, pure heart and thus become like the angels who told the apostles and myrrh-bearing women about the Savior’s rise from the dead. Let's listen to the song “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior” performed by the choir of Optina Hermitage.