April 27, 2005
St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church
170 Lexington Avenue,
Passaic, New Jersey
07055
A parish of the
This is the climax of the entire liturgical year. It is the day on which we celebrate Christ’s passing from death to new life. On this day we also remember that we pass with Him from the slavery of sin over to the new life of God’s grace. The resurrection is the foundation and the origin of our Faith.
Christ is Risen!
Indeed He is Risen!
Out of love for fallen humanity, the Son of God assumed flesh and became one of us. As a man He prayed that, if possible, the suffering be taken from Him. But Jesus knew that because of His divine nature, He must drink the cup. “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt. 26:39)
Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.
PASCHA
And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;….
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.
Through His death on the Cross, Jesus defeated the power of death. He had the ability to call for an army of angels but instead he went to His Passion voluntarily. “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”” (Matt. 27:54)
All of our hope rests on the reality of the Holy Resurrection. By His Resurrection from the dead, Jesus gives new life to all who believe in Him and does His will. When the Holy Myrrhbearers entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, an angel in white garments was seated where the Lord had lain. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, as He said.” (Matt. 28:5-6)
Christ the Lord of all will come to judge the living and the dead, and grant life eternal in the world to come, to all who believe in Him as King and as God. "For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they who have done evil unto the resurrection of judgment." (John 5:28-29)
