The Holy Orthodox Church on April 12, 2026, celebrates the greatest and most glorious feast of the year—the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
On Paschal night, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine presided over the solemn services at the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in the capital, including the Midnight Office, the procession, Paschal Matins, and the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.
Concelebrating with the Primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine were Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, abbot of the monastery; Bishop Theodosiy of Irpin; Bishop Rafail of Makariv; the monastic brotherhood; and invited clergy.
At the conclusion of Paschal Matins, Archbishop Agapit read the Catechetical Homily of Saint John Chrysostom for Holy and Great Pascha.
During the Divine Liturgy, following the Gospel—which is traditionally proclaimed in multiple languages on this feast—Metropolitan Epiphaniy delivered his Paschal message to the hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and all Orthodox faithful of Ukraine.
Prayers were offered for the soldiers defending Ukraine, for the civil authorities and the people, as well as for the repose of the souls of all fallen defenders of the homeland and civilians who lost their lives during the war.
The Metropolitan also offered a special prayer for the homeland, which continues to endure a time of grave trial and danger.
At the conclusion of the Paschal service, the Metropolitan blessed the Artos—the traditional Paschal bread—as well as Easter offerings brought by the faithful.
Metropolitan Epifaniy: The Light of Christ is our weapon against evil
Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv, in his Paschal message, proclaimed the joy of the Resurrection, calling the faithful to “be illumined by the feast” and to embrace one another in the light of Christ.
He emphasized that God is “light, and in Him there is no darkness,” noting that the light of Christ “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” becoming a spiritual weapon for believers in their struggle against evil.
Referring to the ongoing war, he recalled how Ukrainians endured attempts “to plunge our country into total darkness,” yet “preserved light, humanity, and hope,” which became for them “a shield and a sword,” echoing the Apostle’s call to “put on the armor of light.”
While acknowledging that evil and suffering still persist, he stressed that “neither darkness, nor sin, nor evil can prevail,” urging the faithful to remain steadfast, as the Resurrection fills souls “with invincible light, sacrificial love, and hope.”
Concluding, he reminded that the Resurrection is the ultimate victory of life over death, affirming that the light of Christ “will be our weapon against evil,” for “truly, Christ is Risen.”
