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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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In his Message, the Holy Father spoke of the feelings of the women who on the morning of the Resurrection found Christ's tomb open and empty: "feelings of sadness and dismay at the death of their Lord, feelings of disbelief and amazement before a fact too astonishing to be true." He also pointed out how "the faith of the Apostles in Jesus, the expected Messiah, had been submitted to a severe trial by the scandal of the cross" until "the Risen One Himself [came] in response to their thirst for greater certainty ... and said to them, 'peace be with you.'
"At these words," the Pope added, "their faith, which was almost spent within them, was re-kindled. The Apostles told Thomas who had been absent from that first extraordinary encounter. ... Thomas however remained doubtful and perplexed. When Jesus came for a second time, eight days later in the Upper Room, He said to him: 'put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing!' The Apostle's response is a moving profession of faith: 'My Lord and my God!'
"'My Lord and my God!' We too renew that profession of faith of Thomas. I have chosen these words for my Easter greetings this year, because humanity today expects from Christians a renewed witness to the resurrection of Christ; it needs to encounter Him and to know Him as true God and true man. If we can recognize in this Apostle the doubts and uncertainties of so many Christians today, the fears and disappointments of many of our contemporaries, with him we can also rediscover with renewed conviction, faith in Christ dead and risen for us."
"We may all be tempted by the disbelief of Thomas. Suffering, evil, injustice, death, especially when it strikes the innocent such as children who are victims of war and terrorism, of sickness and hunger, does not all of this put our faith to the test? Paradoxically the disbelief of Thomas is most valuable to us in these cases because it helps to purify all false concepts of God and leads us to discover His true face: the face of a God who, in Christ, has taken upon Himself the wounds of injured humanity. Thomas has received from the Lord, and has in turn transmitted to the Church, the gift of a faith put to the test by the passion and death of Jesus and confirmed by meeting Him risen. His faith was almost dead but was born again thanks to his touching the wounds of Christ, those wounds that the Risen One did not hide but showed, and continues to point out to us in the trials and sufferings of every human being."
"Only a God who loves us to the extent of taking upon himself our wounds and our pain, especially innocent suffering, is worthy of faith. How many wounds, how much suffering there is in the world! Natural calamities and human tragedies that cause innumerable victims and enormous material destruction are not lacking. My thoughts go to recent events in Madagascar, in the Solomon Islands, in Latin America and in other regions of the world.
"I am thinking of the scourge of hunger, of incurable diseases, of terrorism and kidnapping of people, of the thousand faces of violence which some people attempt to justify in the name of religion, of contempt for life, of the violation of human rights and the exploitation of persons," said the Holy Father.
"I look with apprehension at the conditions prevailing in several regions of Africa. In Darfur and in the neighboring countries there is a catastrophic, and sad to say underestimated, humanitarian situation. In Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the violence and looting of the past weeks raises fears for the future of the Congolese democratic process and the reconstruction of the country. In Somalia the renewed fighting has driven away the prospect of peace and worsened a regional crisis, especially with regard to the displacement of populations and the traffic of arms. Zimbabwe is in the grip of a grievous crisis and for this reason the bishops of that country in a recent document indicated prayer and a shared commitment for the common good as the only way forward.
"Likewise the population of East Timor stands in need of reconciliation and peace as it prepares to hold important elections. Elsewhere too, peace is sorely needed: in Sri Lanka only a negotiated solution can put an end to the conflict that causes so much bloodshed; Afghanistan is marked by growing unrest and instability.
"In the Middle East, besides some signs of hope in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian authority, nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees. In Lebanon the paralysis of the country's political institutions threatens the role that the country is called to play in the Middle East and puts its future seriously in jeopardy. Finally, I cannot forget the difficulties faced daily by the Christian communities and the exodus of Christians from that blessed Land which is the cradle of our faith. I affectionately renew to these populations the expression of my spiritual closeness."
"Through the wounds of the Risen Christ we can see the evils which afflict humanity with the eyes of hope," the Holy Father concluded. "In fact, by His rising the Lord has not taken away suffering and evil from the world but has vanquished them at their roots by the superabundance of His grace. He has countered the arrogance of evil with the supremacy of His love. He has left us the love that does not fear death, as the way to peace and joy."
BXVI-HOLY WEEK/EASTER SUNDAY/...VIS 070411 (1050)
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Permanent Council of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond The Borders Of Ukraine
04.04.2007, [08:47] // Speech, greeting, press release //
Paschal Encyclical 2007
To the venerable clergy, monastics and all devout children of our Holy Church, entrusted to our care and to our Brothers and Sisters in Ukraine:
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let the whole world, both visible and invisible, keep festival:
For Christ is risen, our eternal joy. (Canon of Pascha)
Dearly beloved in Christ!
Today, on this joyous and saving Day of Christ’s Resurrection the entire world is rejoicing, beaming with the Divine Light. The world of Angels and the Heavenly Church “triumphant” are glorifying the Risen Lord and we - the children of the earthly Church “militant” are called upon to join them. We greet you all, our Brothers and Sisters, on this occasion of the Holy Pascha and proclaim to you “CHRIST IS RISEN!”
No other greeting can bring such radiant joy to a believer’s heart than these victorious words. They remind us of the fact that death has been conquered, that the graves holding our departed loved ones are only temporary and that the time will come when the dead will rise to live a new and eternal life.
This Paschal greeting also tells us that in the earthly life of mankind, any victory of falsehood and evil is only temporary and that in the eternal life goodness, truth and love will forever prevail.
Holy Pascha is for all of us the Feast of Feasts, and the Exultation of Exultations. We perceive this jubilation in our Paschal Services. During this hallowed night God’s special grace can be felt in our churches and our heartfelt prayer lifts closer to our Savior. The clouds of incense fill the temple, as if they were the wings of angels carrying that prayer directly to God’s throne. The joyous greeting of the clergy “Christ is Risen” is answered by the multitude of faithful with a thundering “Indeed, He is Risen!” The light of thousands of candles and the brilliantly white robes of the clergy remind us of the Divine world into which Christ our Savior is risen from the dead. Through His resurrection, our Lord opened the way of resurrection to a new life for each of us as well and He gave us back the right to be God’s children.
We greet you all on the occasion of this glorious Holy Day. Saint John the Theologian writes that the first words Christ the Savior said to his disciples after His Resurrection were “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). These words are of utmost importance to us, because today’s world is in dire need of peace. Saint John the Chrysostom says: “If we lose peace, we will become enemies to those who heard Christ say: ‘Peace be with you’”. Let us therefore preserve this peace and prayerfully beseech the Risen Christ to make it reign in our communities, in our families, and most importantly, in each of our souls.
During these joyful days, when the entire creation is rejoicing, let us thank the Lord in our prayers for having allowed us to witness these Holy Days and to participate in the Paschal services. Let us preserve this Paschal joy throughout the entire year. Let us unite spiritually, let us embrace one another, in order that the benevolent Lord may see love and unity among us and allow us to “glorify His sublime resurrection for ever and ever.”
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
+ Constantine – Metropolitan
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora
+ John – Metropolitan
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
+ Antony – Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
+ Vsevolod – Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
+ Ioan – Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora –
Australia and New Zealand
+ Yurij – Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
+ Jeremiah – Bishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of South America (UOC of USA)
+ Andriy – Bishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora –
Great Britain and Western Europe
http://www.uocofusa.org/news/2007/Pascha%20Archpastoral%202007.pdf
http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;15039/
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Apr. 9, 2007 (CWNews.com ) - Ukraine's pro-Russian parliamentary leadership has criticized the country's top Catholic prelates for their public response to the country's political crisis.
The leftist coalition-- composed of the Socialist and Communist parties and the Party of the Regions-- lodged a complaint with Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) about "some leaders of the Catholic Church in the Ukraine." The reference was to Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Bishop Markijan Trofimiak, the vice-president of the Latin-rite Ukrainian bishops' conference.
Ukraine’s political crisis began on April 2 when the country’s president dissolved parliament and called for early elections. The pro-Russian coalition rejected the president’s decision, and neither side is willing to compromise.
Cardinal Husar had held a press conference to say that "the churches cannot be quiet and should not be quiet" in the face of a national political crisis. The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations sent a letter to the country’s president, Viktor Yushchenko, in support of his dissolution of parliament and call for early parliamentary elections. Metropolitan Volodymyr of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Moscow Patriarchate did not sign the letter.
Socialist Party parliamentarian Witalij Szybko has criticized the Catholic Church’s role in the current crisis. “Not since the time of Pope Pius XI has there been such Church interference in political life," he complained.
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Thou did descend into the nether regions of earth, O Christ, and did shatter the eternal bars which held the prisoners captive; and like Jonah from the sea-monster, after three days Thou did rise from the grave.
Irmos of Canticle Six of the Paschal Canon
Christ is Risen!
I address now these triumphant words, full of rejoicing, to each of you, Your Graces my brothers the archpastors, most-honourable pastors and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, and pious laity of our Holy Orthodox Church.
Christ’s Passover has once more come to our churches and homes, to our towns and villages, to our parish communities and monastic houses, to our souls and hearts, and has illumined us with the unfading Light, the Light of the kingdom of God, the Light of exultant Paschal joy.
The redemptive sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Bright Resurrection has brought to humanity incomparable freedom – freedom from sin and destruction. Yet it is only he who entrusts himself to Christ the Saviour, who accepts him as 'the way, the truth, and the life' (Jn 14:6), - only he acquires this freedom, for as the Gospel says, 'If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (Jn 8:31-32). This truth is our risen Lord Jesus Christ who has destroyed the power of Hades and death and who grants us the freedom to choose life eternal. In his Paschal Homily, which is read in every church on this radiant feast, St John Chrysostom says: 'Let no one fear death, for the death of our Saviour has delivered us from it.' Let us then, together with the Holy Mother Church, sing praises to the Saviour’s victory over death, let us be exultant, rejoicing in the redemption which has been granted to us, let us endeavour to share this feast with those who yet abide in the slavery to sin so that we may bring them to liberty in Christ and to life eternal. Let us keep 'the perfect law of liberty' (Jas 1:25) and teach it to those near and far, recalling that the keeping of this law in our hearts and its fulfilment allow the human person to stand without shame before the face of the Righteous Judge.
There are many people alongside us who believe that freedom is brought by money or power, strength or health, by a cult of 'all is permitted' and immorality. In worshiping these idols of this age, in outdoing each other in pride and egoism, they ever let out of sight the fact that they are becoming ever more mired in slavery – the slavery of self-love, vice and passions. Good comes to those who visit God’s church and here realize what true freedom is and how to embark on the way of perfection. Good comes to those who, for the sake of acquiring this freedom, labour diligently for their salvation, keeping fidelity to Christ amidst the turbulence and afflictions of this age.
Our Church goes steadily along the path of regeneration. In a society, where until quite recently people renounced God and then exerted much effort in pursuit of the deceptive goods of this world, the number of people who try to live as Orthodox Christians is growing. Yet so that perfect joy, the joy of the risen Lord may grow from year to year in the hearts of compatriots, we are faced with having to grow in virtue and to call our neighbours to do likewise.
In his great and ineffable mercy the Lord blesses our endeavours in building up parish and monastic communities. In all spheres of life in our society – in the economics, politics, and in the family – the understanding that we need to build our lives according to the foundations of Christian morality is gaining ground. Yet we still have to labour much. We ought to be especially concerned for the strengthening of the family in order to make it strong and harmonious, capable of educating new generations in righteousness and honour, in Spirit and in Truth. If our families truly become 'little Churches,' strong in a single faith, replete with the mutual love of husbands and wives, parents and children, then our people will forget about the moral crisis and the many calamities engendered by this crisis.
In all places – whether in church or at home, or in the work place where we labour – wherever the Lord directs us, we are to be witnesses of Christ crucified and risen, we are to illumine the world with the light of spiritual joy, wisdom, peace and liberty. Herein lies our mission to the world where there is still much suffering, lack of faith, enmity, injustice, vice and unrighteousness. Let us then vanquish them with the Light of Christ and the power of his grace! Let us fulfil the apostle's commandment to 'stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage' (Gal 5:1). And let us always recall the words the Lord said to his disciples as he appeared to them after the Resurrection: 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.' (Mt 28:19-20).
From the depths of my heart I congratulate you, beloved archpastors, fathers, brothers and sisters, on the feast of Christ’s Bright Resurrection. I send Paschal greetings to all Orthodox Christians who are 'from end to end of the universe.' I hasten to share the joy of Holy Pascha with everyone who confesses the risen Christ, with all people amidst whom God has judged us to live. May joy, peace and his gracious succour in good deeds be granted to all of you, my beloved ones, by the Saviour of the world who has risen from the tomb.
Christ is Risen!
He is Truly Risen!
/+Alexy/
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Pascha
2007
Moscow
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VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 2007 (VIS) - At 10 this evening in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope presided at the solemn Easter vigil during which he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to six catechumens and baptized two infants.
The celebration began in the atrium of the basilica where the Holy Father blessed the new fire and lighted the Easter candle. This was followed by the procession towards the altar with the singing of the "Exultet." Then came the Liturgy of the Word and the Baptismal and Eucharistic Liturgies which the Holy Father concelebrated with cardinals.
In his homily, the Pope recalled how "from ancient times the liturgy of Easter day has begun with the words: 'Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum' - I arose, and am still with you; you have set your hand upon me. The liturgy sees these as the first words spoken by the Son to the Father after His resurrection, after His return from the night of death into the world of the living."
In Psalm 38, whence this phrase comes, the psalmist "imagines himself journeying to the farthest reaches of the cosmos," while "on Easter day the Church tells us that Jesus Christ made that journey to the ends of the universe for our sake." And the "words of the Risen Christ to the Father have also become words which the Lord speaks to us: 'I arose and now I am still with you,' He says to each of us. My hand upholds you. ... Where no one can accompany you further, and where you can bring nothing, even there I am waiting for you, and for you I will change darkness into light.
"These words of the Psalm," the Pope added, "also explain what takes place at Baptism. Baptism is more than a bath, a purification. It is more than becoming part of a community. It is a new birth. A new beginning in life. ... In Baptism we give ourselves over to Christ. ... As a result we are never alone, even in death, but are always with the One who lives for ever."
The Pope then went on to consider the words "descended into hell" which form part of the Creed, and the images used to illustrate Christ's descent to the gates of death in order to open them. "The gates of death are closed, no one can return from there. There is no key for those iron doors. But Christ has the key. His Cross opens wide the gates of death. ... The love of the One who, though God, became man in order to die - this love has the power to open those doors. This love is stronger than death."
"The human soul was created immortal - what exactly did Christ bring that was new?" asked the Holy Father before going on to explain: "The soul is indeed immortal, because man in a unique way remains in God's memory and love, even after his fall. But his own powers are insufficient to lift him up to God. ... And yet, nothing else can satisfy man eternally, except being with God. ... Only the Risen Christ can bring us to complete union with God, to the place where our own powers are unable to bring us. Truly Christ puts the lost sheep upon His shoulders and carries it home. Clinging to His Body we have life, and in communion with His Body we reach the very heart of God. Only thus is death conquered, we are set free and our life is hope.
"This," he added, "is the joy of the Easter vigil: we are free. In the resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger than evil. Love made Christ descend, and love is also the power by which He ascends. The power by which he brings us with Him. ... On this night, then, let us pray: Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await you. Bring them to the light!"
XVI-HOLY WEEK/EASTER SATURDAY/...VIS 070411 (710)
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VATICAN CITY, APRIL 8, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican revealed that Benedict XVI sent a written appeal to the supreme leader of Iran seeking the release of the 15 British military personnel held captive in the nation.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, confirmed Saturday that the Holy Father sent a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in which he manifested his confidence "in men of good will to find a solution to this crisis."
The Vatican gave no further details on the content of the letter.
According to the London-based newspaper Guardian, the letter was delivered hours before the release on Thursday of the marines and sailors, who had been held in Iran since March 23.
Code: ZE07040806
Date: 2007-04-08