To all our fellow Christians who on this day celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection on the Julian Calendar, we wish a blessed and joyful Easter! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Христóсъ воскрéсе!
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| The Resurrection; fresco in the apse of the parekklesion (mortuary chapel) of the church of the Holy Savior in Chora, in Constantinople. (Image from Wikipedia, by Guilhem Vellut - click to enlarge.)
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“And now (Christ) has snatched the whole of humanity from the vaults of Hell and made it pass upwards to heaven and brought it to its ancient dignity of incorruption. But when he descended into Hell he did raise all, but as many as believed in him were chosen. He freed the souls of the Saints since time began who were forcibly held fast by Hell and made them all ascend to heaven. And so we, rejoicing exceedingly, celebrate the Resurrection with splendour as we image joy with which our nature has been enriched by God’s compassionate mercy. Likewise, to demonstrate the abolition of the enmity and the union with God and the Angels, we give one another the customary kiss.” (From the Synaxarion (martyrology) for Easter Sunday.)
