The Resurrection Divine Liturgy was celebrated in a solemn and prayerful atmosphere at St. George Cathedral in Stockholm, with a large number of faithful gathering to commemorate the greatest event of the Christian faith.
At the heart of the celebration resounded the triumphant proclamation: “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!”, affirming that “death has been trampled down by death and that life eternal has dawned for humanity.”
In his Paschal message, Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden emphasized that the Resurrection is not merely a theological concept, but “a reality that transforms our lives and offers comfort to a world burdened by war, hunger, economic insecurity, modern slavery, human trafficking, and the suffering of innocent children.”
Drawing on the teaching of the Fathers, he highlighted that the Resurrection is “the decisive victory of life over death,” recalling the words of St. Basil the Great that Christ “suffered, died on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead, so that we could be saved by imitation of Him.” Likewise, St. John Chrysostom proclaims that “forgiveness has risen from the grave” and urges the faithful: “Let no one fear death, for the death of our Saviour has set us free.”
At the same time, the Metropolitan underlined that Paschal joy is inseparable from responsibility toward the suffering world. “Paschal joy does not ignore pain, but it transfigures it,” he noted, stressing that the Resurrection becomes “a mandate for action.”
Referring to contemporary challenges, he spoke of the millions affected by war, poverty, displacement, and exploitation, emphasizing that such realities “cry out for healing.” In this context, the Resurrection offers “a profound message of consolation” and calls the faithful to respond through concrete acts of love and solidarity.
“We must pray and work for peace,” he said, while also urging support for those in need, advocacy for justice, and care for the displaced, reminding that “Christ Himself was a refugee; in serving the displaced we serve Him.”
Concluding, Metropolitan Cleopas stressed that “Christ’s Resurrection is a living reality that empowers us to face the tragedies of the present,” calling all to become true witnesses of the Resurrection by “bringing light to a world often shrouded in darkness.”
