-Some ROCOR Episcopal Paschal Epistles 2020

#3-Some ROCOR Episcopal Paschal Epistles 2020    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Sun, Apr 19, 2020 at 11:32 AM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original                                                                                   Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη! Хрїстóсъ воскрéсе! Воистину воскрéсе! Christus resurrexit! Vere  resurrexit! ¡Cristo ha resucitado! ¡En verdad ha resucitado! Christus ist auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! Le Christ est ressuscité! En vérité, Il est ressuscité!  !المسيح قام! حقا قام ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!Քրիստոս յառեաւ ի մեռելոց! Օրհնեալ է յառութիւննՔրիստոսի! Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat! Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall! ハリストス復活！実に復活！ 基督復活了 他確實復活了 Христос васкрсе! Ваистину васкрсе! Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen Paschal Sermon, in Russian,  of Metropolitan Agafangel: http://internetsobor.org/index.php/novosti/rptsz/2020-17 Metropolitan Agafangel: Paschal Epistle 2020  Paschal Epistle First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Christ is Risen! Dear brothers and sisters! This is probably the most unusual Pascha in recent decades. The Pascha of Christ is our joy in the Risen Lord, at the same time it has been not long ago, a test of our faith during Soviet atheistic times, and also it has become a test of faith, also now in our days. The devil is already triumphing everywhere, easily manipulating people's consciousness and dictating their behavior to them. Now he keeps the whole world in fear, convincing many that only science and extreme precautions can save us from death at this stage. But he, as always, lies and manipulates, since the death of our soul's salvation, does not come from our bodily biological death. The devil once thought that he had defeated Christ too -Who was slandered and humiliated in the eyes of people, and His disciples were  scattered, and Himself was crucified with shame on the Cross. Then it seemed to the devil that he had done enough, so that the memory of Jesus of Nazareth would forever be wiped off the face of the earth. It would be so.... if... Christ were not Risen. The resurrection of Christ is precisely The victory over the forces of darkness. Therefore, in our days with such incredible malice, the devil has taken up arms against the  celebration of Pascha, because he trembles and is most afraid of this Resurrection, which brings upon himself, his eternal imprisonment in hell. The Resurrection of Christ is the main reality that tramples and destroys the power of the devil on earth. This changeable world will pass, like a year goes by, or as how a day goes by, and it will be replaced by the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven, which can be entered only through the Resurrection of Christ. We believe, Lord, in our salvation prepared by Thee! Glory, O Lord, to Thy Holy Resurrection! + Metropolitan Agafangel Pascha of Christ, 2020 Tags: ROCOR , Metropolitan Agafangel Print Email    +2020 Paschal Epistle of ROCOR Archbishop George of Chisinau  and Moldavia Dan Everiss Sat 4/18/2020 5:06 PM

 

Paschal Epistle by
His Grace, George  
Archbishop of Chisinau and Moldavia

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Dear brothers and sisters!

The present Triumph of the Resurrection of Christ, we celebrate in unusual conditions for us.Modern, drowning in sins and vices, consciously running away from God, mankind, by God's permission, has been now put in panic and fear for its earthly life.Because of the mystery of the unknown,  about what comes after our physical death, as well as because of the intuitive feeling and fear of we having to give an  answer for our earthly lives..For us believers in Christ, these events have been a grace-filled test of the properties of our personal faith and of our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.After all, the Resurrection of Christ testifies to us that Life is stronger than death!

“Corinthians 15:22-23 :²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming".

Brothers and sisters!I heartily congratulate you all on the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ!I wish that each of us, will be rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ, for His victory over death, hell, sin and the devil, and for us to having rejected all lack of faith, cowardice and fear, so that we can exclaim in our good conscience, with the Apostle Paul: “Death! where is your sting? Hell! where is your victory? ... Thanks be to God, who gave us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! "(1 Cor. 15: 55-57). Amen.

Pascha 2020.+ Archbishop George.

Tags: ROCOR, Archbishop George
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ROCOR Bishop Athanasius of Vologda and Velikoustyuzhsky, Paschal Epistle 2020 

Paschal Epistle of  

His Grace Athanasius, Bishop of

Vologda and Velikoustyuzhsky

Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church (Abroad)

Christ is our new Passover, a living sacrifice,

The Lamb of God, Who taketh away  sins of the world!

I greet and congratulate you, dear brothers and sisters, on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead!
When truly “heaven is worthy and merry,” and “the earth rejoices,” and “the whole visible and invisible world celebrates,” “the victory of Christ,” Rejoice, and I will say again, rejoice!
Rejoice! that Christ crucified and risen, has redeemed us from death!
Rejoice! that the reality of our future resurrection from the dead has become apparent through the Resurrection of Christ!
Rejoice! that the purpose of our life is clearly defined:! - we must live for God, for good deeds, for mutual love and die to sin!
Rejoice always and pray without ceasing, invoking the sweetest name of Christ, which delights  souls even in our apocalyptic time!
Rejoice! as with Christ and in Christ we gain freedom!
Rejoice! for Christ is the Good Shepherd, caring for every sheep of His flock, and raising us from earth to Heaven in His eternal Kingdom of Love!
Rejoice! that you are faithful children of the true Orthodox Church, whose head is the Son of God, crucified for us, but Who is also, the Risen Christ!
Happy holyday feastday!  Happy Pascha!

Christ is Risen!Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen!

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Subject:Paschal Epistle 2020, of Bishop John of Melbourne and Australia

 

Bishop John: Paschal Epistle 2020 

Author: Metropolitan Agafangel.Publication Date:April 19, 2020.Category: Author’s column.

Paschal Epistle
of His Grace John,
bishop of Melbourne and Australia

Beloved in Christ, pastors, clergy, brothers and sisters in Christ,

Christ is risen!Truly He is risen!

There is nothing on this earth which gives such joy to the human heart as the mystical assurance of Christ's Victory over death and corruption.This is the gift of eternal life, eternal joy, which begins here and now, in this seeming valley of sorrows.

Temporary trials and sorrows are fleeting. They are small school lessons which enable our hearts to grow in our relationship with the Living, Almighty God.He constantly wishes us the utmost good, and cares for our souls as a loving Father.He arranges for our spiritual progress, so we can become more sober, and experience pure joy.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,

Let us purify our senses, and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection! And we shall clearly hear Him say: Rejoice! As we sing the hymn of victory! 
(Paschal Canon, Ode 1)

The Holy Fathers encourage us to purify our senses, to turn away from the frivolities of earthly life, and to reject tempting and deceitful thoughts which often confuse us.If we follow this instruction, we will receive joy and peace from above, and will be able to say with the Apostle Paul:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (...) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
(Romans 8: 35-38)

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

+ Bishop John
of Melbourne and Australia
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

Tags: ROCOR, Diocese of Australia, Bishop John Schmelz
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Orthodox Easter World-wide, under lockdown

#1-BBC: Orthodox Easter World-wide, under lockdown    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Sat, Apr 18, 2020 at 10:25 PM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52339183 Coronavirus: Orthodox Easter weekend marked under lockdown - BBC News The world's Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter - the most important festival in their calendar, amid a series of restrictions and bans. Officials in Eastern Europe and the Middle East ... www.bbc.com   Image copyright EPA Image caption Worshippers attended the Easter midnight service in Georgia's capital TbilisiThe world's Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter - the most important festival in their calendar, amid a series of restrictions and bans. Officials in Europe, the Middle East and Africa urged people not to attend services, fearing this would lead to a spike in coronavirus infections. However, in Georgia, worshippers are still able to attend churches. The traditional Holy Fire ceremony went ahead in a near-deserted Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church was closed last month and only a handful of Orthodox clergy, some of them wearing black masks, were allowed in for the ceremony on Saturday. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Some pilgrims did gather in the Old City in Jerusalem to take the Holy Fire as it left the Church of the Holy SepulchreA candle is traditionally lit with the Holy Fire in the crypt of the Holy Sepulchre by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus. Instead of the flame being passed on to thousands of pilgrims, this time the ceremony was attended by the Armenian Orthodox patriarch, four assistants and Coptic and Syrian archbishops, Israeli media report. The church bells tolled and the flame was carried out of the church by Theophilos III and others to be taken to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv and flown to 10 countries. How is Orthodox Easter being marked around the world? Russia's Orthodox Church agreed to break its annual traditions and is urging millions of believers not to attend church. Worshippers usually attend late-night processions to receive blessings. This year services are being held only in the presence of priests and other clergy. Image copyright AFP Image caption Orthodox volunteers in Moscow on Saturday attended the blessing of traditional cakes and eggs for people in need Image copyright EPA Image caption In Ukraine, Orthodox priests blessed worshippers with holy water Image copyright AFP/Getty Images Image caption In Ethiopia, worshippers were asked to observe strict social distancing in churchesIn Ukraine, police are now deployed near churches in the capital Kyiv and elsewhere to prevent believers from gathering in large numbers. In Greece, the authorities are using drones to monitor the situation. Road blocks have been set up to prevent the customary exodus of several million people to the countryside and the islands. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Greek police have been deployed in their thousands to maintain tight restrictions on movementWhen the Holy Fire arrived in Athens on Saturday evening it was taken to the Jerusalem patriarchate in Athens and was not distributed to churches elsewhere. The Church has backed the ban and thousands of police have been deployed to prevent Greeks using the holiday to visit relatives or second homes. The Holy Fire was also taken on Saturday to the Church of the Holy Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II held a Good Friday service without a congregation at a monastery north-east of Cairo. The service was televised live on Coptic Orthodox TV channels and showed deacons and priests gathered with gaps between them to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In Romania, people have been told they will not be allowed to leave their homes to receive the Holy Fire on Easter night or take bread splashed with holy water and wine, as is traditional. It will however be distributed to the homes of believers who request it. President Klaus Iohannis appealed to Romanians to give up on the idea of having their loved ones close to them, in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Bulgaria has imposed a curfew on the capital Sofia to stop traffic in and out of the city to stop people heading off on holiday. Churches in Serbia and Montenegro have told worshippers to celebrate Easter at home. But North Macedonia's Orthodox Church says it will not use force to prevent people going to church. How Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter in 2019 Orthodox Christians take an icy dip for Epiphany Why Georgia is different By Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News Tbilisi It's never been this quiet in Tbilisi. The government has banned the movement of all private cars ahead of Easter Sunday. Cemeteries, which Georgians traditionally visit on Easter Monday, are also shut. Those violating the state of emergency law, which among other restrictions bans gatherings of more than three people, face hefty fines of almost £800 ($1,000; €900). And yet many Georgians are questioning why the government made an exception for the Orthodox Church. Thousands have continued to worship freely in churches across the country since the crisis began. Image copyright OC Media/Mariam Nikuradze Image caption Earlier this month Bishop Shio Mujiri, the Patriarch's chosen successor, gave Holy Communion with a shared spoonThe Church has refused to adapt its customs. Priests continue to give Holy Communion with a shared spoon. At least two priests have already tested positive for Covid-19. But the Easter midnight service went ahead. Parishioners were welcomed at Tbilisi's Sameba Cathedral despite a curfew. The country's health authorities have pleaded with people to listen to the science for the sake of their country

#3-Paschal Sharing: "Whoever you are, who approach": "Poem on the Passion, Crucifixion and Death of The Lord"    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Sat, Apr 18, 2020 at 4:26 PM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original  ​CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!, TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH, AND UPON THOSE IN THE TOMBS, BESTOWING LIFE!   ALLELUIA! ​"Whoever you are who approach, and are entering the precincts of the middle of the Temple, stop a little and look upon Me, Who, though Innocent, Suffered for your crime; lay me up in your mind, keep me in your breast. I Am He Who, pitying the bitter misfortunes of men, Came hither as a Messenger of offered Peace, and as a full Atonement for the fault of men. Here the Brightest Light from Above is restored to the Earth; here is the merciful image of Safety; here I Am a Rest to you, the Right Way, the True Redemption, the Banner of God, and a memorable sign of fate. It was on account of you and your life that I Entered the Virgin's womb, was made man, and Suffered a dreadful Death; nor did I find rest anywhere in the regions of the Earth, but everywhere threats, everywhere labours. First of all, a wretched dwelling in the land of Judaea was a shelter for Me at my birth, and for my mother with Me: here first, amidst the outstretched sluggish cattle, dry grass gave me a bed in a narrow stall. I passed my earliest years in the Pharian regions, being an exile in the reign of Herod; and after my return to Judaea I spent the rest of my years, always engaged in fastings, and the extremity of poverty itself, and the lowest circumstances; always by healthful admonitions applying the minds of men to the pursuit of genial uprightness, uniting with wholesome teaching many evident miracles: on which account impious Jerusalem, harassed by the raging cares of envy and cruel hatred, and blinded by madness, dared to seek for Me, though Innocent, by deadly punishment, a cruel death on the dreadful Cross. And if you yourself wish to discriminate these things more fully, and if it delights you to go through all my groans, and to experience griefs with Me, put together the designs and plots, and the impious price of my Innocent Blood; and the pretended kisses of a disciple, and the insults and strivings of the cruel multitude; and, moreover, the blows, and tongues prepared for accusations. Picture to your mind both the witnesses, and the accursed judgment of the blinded Pilate, and the immense Cross pressing my shoulders and wearied back, and my painful steps to a dreadful Death. Now survey Me from head to foot, deserted as I Am, and lifted up afar from my beloved mother. Behold and see my locks clotted with blood, and my blood-stained neck under my very hair, and my head drained with cruel thorns, and pouring down like rain from all sides a stream of Blood over my Divine Face. Survey my compressed and sightless eyes, and my afflicted cheeks; see my parched tongue poisoned with gall, and my countenance pale with death. Behold my hands pierced with nails, and my arms drawn out, and the great wound in my side; see the Blood streaming from it, and my perforated feet, and blood-stained limbs. Bend your knee, and with lamentation adore the venerable wood of the Cross, and with lowly countenance stooping to the earth, which is wet with Innocent Blood, sprinkle it with rising tears, and at times bear Me and my admonitions in your devoted heart. Follow the footsteps of my Life, and while you look upon my torments and cruel Death, remembering my innumerable pangs of Body and Soul, learn to endure hardships, and to watch over your own safety. These memorials, if at any time you find pleasure in thinking over them, if in your mind there is any confidence to bear anything like my Sufferings, if the piety due, and gratitude worthy of my Labours shall arise, will be incitements to true virtue, and they will be shields against the snares of an enemy, aroused by which you will be safe, and as a conqueror bear off the Palm in every contest. If these memorials shall turn away your senses, which are devoted to a perishable world, from the fleeting shadow of earthly beauty, the result will be, that you will not venture, enticed by empty hope, to trust the frail enjoyments of fickle fortune, and to place your hope in the fleeting years of life. But, truly, if you thus regard this perishable world, and through your love of a better country deprive yourself of earthly riches and the enjoyment of present things, the prayers of the pious will bring you up in sacred habits, and in the hope of a happy life, amidst severe punishments, will cherish you with Heavenly Dew, and feed you with the Sweetness of the Promised Good. Until the Great Favour of God shall recall your happy soul to the heavenly regions, your body being left after the fates of death. Then freed from all labour, then joyfully beholding the angelic choirs, and the blessed companies of saints in perpetual bliss, it shall reign with Me in the happy abode of Perpetual Peace.” AMEN. - Poem On The Passion, Crucifixion And Death Of The Lord, Ascribed To Lactantius. For the 4th-century author, see Lactantius Placidus. Mural likely depicting Lactantius. Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius (c. 250 – c. 325) was an early Christian author who became an advisor to the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine I, guiding his religious policy as it developed,[1] and a tutor to his sonCrispus. His most important work is theInstitutiones Divinae ("The Divine Institutes"), an apologetic treatise intended to establish the reasonableness and truth of Christianity to pagan critics. The Nicene Creed: The Orthodox Christian Symbol of Faith I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. 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. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose 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. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Teaching About Christ's Life-Giving Crucifixion

The Orthodox Christian Teaching About Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ's Life-Giving Crucifixion and Death    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Thu, Apr 16, 2020 at 6:52 PM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original Note: Sorry if you receive this the second time, but I am having trouble today sending my emails. -retired-Reader Daniel Everiss in Oregon   ​  ​"And He had no beauty or comeliness that we should desire Him; He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." ​ ​"Behold the Man!" The Bridegroom of the Church. Subject: x3, Orthodox Teaching About Christ's Crucifixion    ​"Today is suspended upon the Tree of the Cross, He Who suspended the earth upon the waters" ALLELUIA! Subject: Orthodox Teaching About Christ's Crucifixion    Synaxarion for Holy Friday https://www.hsir.org/pdfs/2017/04/11/20170411aSynaxGreatFri%20Folder/20170411aSynaxGreatFri.pdf

Weep not for me

#2-"Weep not for me, O Mary my Mother, for in three days I shall arise, and with myself I shall raise Adam and all the dead from the valley of misery!"    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Thu, Apr 16, 2020 at 2:35 PM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original   ​"O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us!"   ​"Let me not give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief do I confess Thee; remember me O Lord, when thou comest into Thy kingdom!"   ​"O Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ our God, on Thy Cross of shame and suffering, bring our souls to Heaven and Thee, who now await Thy glorious Resurrection!"

HOSANNA! LORD JESUS!, HOSANNA!

#1-HOSANNA! LORD JESUS!, HOSANNA! To The Son of David!, He Who Cometh In The Name Of The Lord, HOSANNA In The Highest!    Inbox

Dan Everiss <oregdan@hotmail.com> Fri, Apr 10, 2020 at 11:06 PM Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original HOSANNA! Lord Jesus, HOSANNA! To The Son of David, He Who Cometh in the Name of the Lord, HOSANNA In The Highest!