MOSCOW, April 28. /TASS/. Jesus Christ’s love for all humanity should become an example for all Orthodox believers, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said in his traditional Easter address.
"I would like to address everyone who rejoices at Easter. If your heart is enlightened with Easter light, become lamps for those who surround you. Let your lips profess the reality of resurrection. Embrace with your love those who are beside you and offer them your care and attention," the patriarch said.
"Just like the Savior was on the cross with outstretched arms to embrace the whole humanity, you should learn love, unconditional and generous love that seeks the good for one’s neighbors, from Him. Let the Easter joy always be with you, so that when we meet a person we remembered that Christ has risen for him as well," the patriarch said.
He highlighted that Easter is the main Orthodox holiday that symbolizes victory of life over death. "Secular culture avoids and even fears thoughts of what will happen to us to the other side of earthly life, what will happen to us after death. It is still a secret and an irresolvable question to unbelieving mind. However, we, the Christians, answer it directly and we are not afraid of answering it, as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death, the bitterest enemy of the mankind," the patriarch said.
"I congratulate you on the great holiday of Easter with all my heart. Easter is the main holiday of the Christian world that reflects the essence, the basis of our belief - belief in the Resurrection of Christ, which happened almost 2,000 years ago. <...> I congratulate you all on Easter! Truly Christ has risen!" he added.
Before the Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Patriarch Kirill received a capsule containing the Holy Fire that had descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Saturday. It was delivered by a delegation of the Foundation of Saint Andrew the First-Called led by Chairman of the organization’s board of trustees Vladimir Yakunin.
