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Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, has sent Paschal greetings to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches, including Pope Francis, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Archbishop Justin Welby of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany. The text is given below:

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this greatest of feasts, the Holy Passover of   Christ, with words close to the heart of every Christian:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

The triumph of the Resurrection reveals to us the mystery of the great Sacrifice which the Pre-Eternal Author of life has accomplished for the salvation of people. In becoming one of us Christ has delivered humanity through his Crucifixion and Resurrection from the power of sin and death. St. Ambrosius of Milan states that Christ’s resurrection has ‘renewed the grace lost through the guile of the serpent by restoring our nature’ (On the Mysteries, II:17).

The world in which we live is enduring unprecedented trials. Today it is particularly important to keep in our thoughts the words of the risen Saviour: ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (Jn 16:33). Let us preserve, then, in our hearts the joy of Pascha in unceasingly proclaiming the divine truth of Christ’s Resurrection to those both close to and far from us.

Wishing you good health and God’s gracious aid in your lofty ministry,

I remain, with love in the risen Christ,

+Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate