The Resurrection of the Lord was solemnly celebrated in the Centre of Orthodoxy in accordance with the long ecclesiastical tradition and order.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection in the courtyard of the Patriarchate, accompanied by Metropolitans Meliton of Philadelphia, Eirinaios of Myriofyton and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoleptos of Iconium, and Theodore of Seleucia, as well as the clergy of the Patriarchal Court.
He then delivered a message for the Feast of Holy Pascha to the faithful of the Church, emphasizing that in the historic City of Constantine—and in other cities, countries, and continents—“in peaceful places and in places troubled by wars and various crises, peoples of every tribe and tongue are gloriously proclaiming the joyful news tonight: Christ is risen!”
Elsewhere in his resurrection greeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed:
“In vain, even in these very hours, the evil forces of the world—with their wars, bombings, arsons, dark schemes, and the oppression and exploitation of the weak and the imprisoned—attempt to prolong the Passion and the Cross of Christ in His human images: the people, in many parts of the earth. Yet, Pascha will inevitably come for these peoples too! The Resurrection belongs to all! For ‘Christ, our Pascha, has been sacrificed for us’—and Christ is Life and Resurrection!”
The words of the Ecumenical Patriarch are the following:
Honorable Hierarchs, and beloved children in Christ, Christ is Risen!
On this spring night, filled with the rich fragrance of flowers and blossoming trees, in a sea of radiant light, the joyous sound of the bell announces the Resurrection! In great cities—such as this historic City of Constantine—as well as in towns and villages, in mountains and on islands, in nations near and far, in peaceful places and in lands shaken by wars and crises, peoples of every tribe and tongue are gloriously proclaiming the joyful message tonight: Christ is Risen!
Yes, there is still pain in the world. Yes, tears are still being shed. Yes, the groans of sorrow are still heard. But the course of human history has changed forever! Evil, all that is negative and difficult, all the tears of daily life—no longer have the final word in human existence and destiny. The truth is entirely different! Christ, through His death and His three-day Resurrection from the dead, has forever abolished the dominion of death, bound the tyrant, liberated captive humanity, and granted us a new life—filled with light, joy, tangible hope, and true freedom! And all of this, sealed with eternity!
In vain did the guards stand watch over the life-giving Tomb of the Lord! They could not imprison the very Source of Life! In vain, even in these very hours, the evil forces of the world—with their wars, bombings, arsons, dark schemes, and the oppression and exploitation of the weak and the imprisoned—attempt to prolong the Passion and the Cross of Christ in His human images: the people, in many parts of the earth! Yet, Pascha will inevitably come for these peoples too! The Resurrection belongs to all! For ‘Christ, our Pascha, has been sacrificed for us’—and Christ is Life and Resurrection!”
The ever-shining Phanar—bathed from the beginning in the Grace of Christ and shaped by the trials of history—is once again illumined by the Paschal Light. It raises its resurrection candle high tonight and cries out to every human being: Come! Partake in the Feast of Faith! Rejoice in the boundless goodness of the Author of our Life—our Lord, our God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Christ is Risen, brothers and children! “It is the day of Resurrection, O People let us be enlightened by it!” “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
The Resurrection ceremony was attended by Archons of the Great Church of Christ, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, as well as many pilgrims from abroad and believers from Constantinople.
The Ecumenical Patriarch presided over the Resurrection Divine Liturgy, accompanied by the hierarchs.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
