For us, the Resurrection of Christ is not an event that has long passed and neither is it a symbolic story about the victory of good over evil. Faith in the risen Christ and life in accordance with this faith is the cornerstone of our confession, because thanks to the resurrection of the Savior, death has been overcome, evil no longer has absolute power over man, and hell has been defeated.
This is stated in the Easter address by the Primate of the OCU, Epifaniy.
“Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, today we renew our hope for the victory of truth and goodness, receiving from God the strength to continue the struggle against darkness and sin both in ourselves and in the world around us. And, sharing the Easter joy with each other, glorifying the risen Christ and testifying to our personal faith in Him, we are both filled with light ourselves and we multiply the light around us, driving away the darkness of evil. Therefore, let us congratulate our neighbors and everyone on the Bright Resurrection of Christ!” noted the Primate.
The Primate of the OCU congratulated Ukraine’s defenders, volunteers, allies, and those who celebrate this Easter under Russian occupation.
“May our heartfelt greetings from the Golden-Domed Kyiv, from the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, from the Ukrainian Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reach all the children of Ukraine, wherever they may now live. Despite all the external circumstances of time, may love for God and for our native Ukraine unite us all!
We congratulate the President of Ukraine, state authorities, local self-government, and all those who are called to serve public on the holiday of the Resurrection of Christ. May God bless all your good deeds, contribute to the approaching victory of truth and just peace.
Sharing the joy of the holiday with all who now honor the Bright Resurrection of Christ, let us be strengthened in our faith, strengthened by hope in God, and testify about them with deeds of mercy and sacrificial love!
And let us again and again proclaim the great news of God’s victory:
Christ is risen!”
