PRIEST'S MESSAGE
Дорогі Брати й Сестри в Христі!
З нагоди великого й радісного Свята Воскресення Христового, від себе та своєї родини, сердечно вітаю всіх членів та прихильників Катедри Св. Івана та бажаю всім веселих Великодних Свят.
There is no other greeting more solemn than Christ Is Risen! And the response He Is Risen Indeed! Each of us from early childhood remembers that no other feast or celebration is comparable to the Holy Resurrection of Christ. Even people of little faith, or no faith at all, on this Lord’s Day hasten to Church for the Resurrection services and willingly observe the Paschal Feast and its customs. It is difficult to imagine that anyone would show ill-will towards others on this day, for everyone has the urge to embrace one another.
It is almost two thousand years since Jesus Christ appeared to the myrrh bearing women after His glorious resurrection and said “Rejoice!” (Mt. 28:9). And even to this day no one can take away the happiness and joy from us. As long as the Christian world exists, and it will exist until the end of time, Christians will always observe Pascha very triumphantly.
May Easter be for us, not just a happy annual holiday that is soon past, but also the renewal of a firm commitment to our Faith, which will be evident to others as they observe our way of life. If we walk in the light of the Resurrection, Easter will renew and refresh us. This Easter can be the beginning of a new life as well as of a new day. The shining Figure beside the empty tomb beckons to us. For almost twenty centuries many thousands have witnessed to His power and His love. May we all be among the immortal fellowship both this year and forever.
Нехай Великоднє Чудо стане всім нам ясним запевненням, що ми всі міцно віруємо в Свого Господа Бога, і всі поспішаємо до Нього, і що ми надалі будемо любити один одного, як Воскреслий Христос любить нас! І що ми всі будемо завжди жити в братерській згоді та в міцній єдності, бо Христос Воскрес і Вічна Радість Його Воскресення! Ще раз, усіх сердечно вітаємо з Воскресенням Христовим і всім голосно й щиро проказуємо:
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС!
In Christ's love,
Father Stephan & Dobrodiyka Diana