Christ is Risen! He has overcome death, and today His wounds bear the pain of Ukraine

The disciples of Jesus Christ did not anticipate His resurrection. Overwhelmed with grief, they did not expect this sudden joy. What was in their hearts and on their lips? Pain. An incredible pain of loss. They witnessed their Teacher being hurt, ridiculed and crucified. He meant everything to them - they changed their lives for Him, put their hopes in Him, and revealed their desires and dreams to Him. And at one point, everything fell apart. Fear filled their hearts. It gripped them in the face of trials, and most were not with Him to the end - some fled, some hid, some renounced Him - their Holy Friday and Saturday days did not differ from nights as darkness reigned them. Yet… God has His "But", and the name of this "But" is Jesus.

The light of Jesus' Resurrection shone from the very depths of darkness, suffering, and loneliness, for darkness can never absorb light. Christ's resurrection broke the chains of hell, the eternal curse of death - He rose, stood among his disciples with the wounds on His hands and side left by the nails and the spear, and said, "Peace be with you".

Today we proclaim that Christ is Risen not just because we are sure of the event's historicity. Now, we feel it with the whole being of our people: fear, death, violence and powerlessness... And still, the light shines in the darkness and does not reconcile with it. Christ is Risen. He has overcome death, and today His wounds bear the pain of Ukraine.

This year, the Great Lent in Ukraine began earlier than its calendar date, and the same goes for Easter, but God still has His "But", and this we proclaim with the following words:

"Christ is Risen!" - "He is Risen Indeed!"

Our dear authors and readers! We wish you all peace, unity, strength, and hope!

Sincerely yours,

RISU team

We are grateful to Padre Serge (Fr. Serhiy Honcharov) for his inspiring words

Easter cards of Ulyana Krekhovets