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Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent a message of greetings on the occasion of the Pascha of the Lord to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, Patriarch John X of Antioch, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya II of All Georgia, Patriarch Irenaeus of Serbia, Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Patriarch Neophytos of Bulgaria, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, Metropolitan Sava of Warsaw of All Poland, Metropolitan Rostislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, and Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada. The message states in particular:

 CHRIST IS RISEN!

With this joyful exclamation I wholeheartedly greet you on the occasion of the great and salvific feast of Holy Pascha.

The miracle of the Resurrection of our Saviour is an immutable truth of the Christian faith, an inexhaustible source of love, the foundation of our hope for the future resurrection of all, and the fulfilment of the promise to become heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom; for according to the apostle, God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power (1 Cor. 6:14).

Today our hearts are filled with unspeakable Paschal joy and gratitude; for the Author of life (Acts 3:15) has destroyed death, deposed the devil and opened for us the gates of heaven once closed because of our progenitors’ disobedience.

May the God of peace, who brought back from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20), grant you and your Christ-loving flock abundant mercies and blessings, good health and long life.

With brotherly love in the Risen Lord,

 

+ KIRILL

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia