The mood of resurrection of the Christian should be something permanent in his soul. Saint Seraphim of Sarov addressed to every man – regardless of the liturgical period – the greeting: “Christ is risen, what a joy!” That’s because he always lived the joy of the resurrection.
What does it mean to live and have the mood of resurrection? First, it is a joy without limits, a joy that has nothing earthy. Because the joy of the resurrection has nothing earthy. It does not contain any satisfaction in the sense of pleasure. It is a strictly psychological awareness.
Also, the mood of resurrection presupposes the absence of fears and the presence of an insane courage, spiritually speaking. It is also a surprise and a question. But it is also an obligation.
After fasting, confessing, receiving Communion and the Holy Fire, and chanting the “Christ is Risen from the Dead” your life cannot be the same. You have received a lot; thus, you must return even a few.
So, let’s look for the Fire of the greatest celebration of Christianity. Let us rejoice, as human beings, over the Resurrection. And this, my dear ones, because only God and human beings know what it is! This Mystery does not concern angels, since they are immaterial creatures and the Impartial Judge will not pass Judgment on them. Christ has risen only for us.
Therefore, from the whole universe, from all His creations – of all that is seen and unseen, just in a corner of it, at some distant “Palestine” of the Universe, which is called planet Earth, some inhabitants (not even as many as they could) rejoice at Resurrection. The rest of the creation is standing for now at a corner and is looking.
Great is your strength, Lord, but Your love is greater!
The people of God, knowing the beatitude of the Lord, endure patiently and make sure, as far as they can, that they enlighten those who are easily tempted, in a peaceful way: “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man… Take note—your reward (the Grace) is great in heaven”. They assign the rest to God. They lift the heavy Cross and pray for those who slander them.
Until His Resurrection, the Lord taught about Eternal Life, but with His Resurrection He showed that He Himself is indeed Eternal Life. Up to His Resurrection He taught about the Resurrection of the dead, but with His Resurrection He showed that He Himself is indeed the Resurrection of the dead.
St. Justin Popovic
*The article was originally published in Greek in ikivotos.gr
