On the occasion of Holy Pascha, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa issued a message, offering words of hope, self-reflection, and spiritual vigilance in the face of intense global challenges.
In his Paschal message, Patriarch Theodore II emphasises the timeless and universal significance of the Resurrection, proclaiming with conviction: ‘CHRIST IS RISEN!’, underscoring that this is ‘the undeniable universal truth’ that continues to inspire and guide the faithful.
He makes special reference to contemporary reality, noting that despite the achievements of our era, humanity ‘stumbles upon problems that are difficult to resolve’, while ‘we have made ourselves gods and forgotten… the true God’. He also expresses concern over military conflicts, noting that ‘the drums of war are sounding… in the Middle East’, as well as in Africa, where ‘Christianity is bleeding, and peoples are fighting one another’.
The Patriarch highlights the need for peace, solidarity, and unity, stressing that ‘the other person is not our opponent, but our brother’, and calls for active dialogue ‘so that we may enjoy coexistence and prosperity’.
Finally, he points to the deeper essence of the feast, emphasising that ‘the Resurrection of the Lord is not merely a celebration’, but an opportunity to renew and strengthen our faith. He also conveys a message of optimism, saying that ‘this is a crisis, but it will pass; this is war, but it will cease’.
Find below the Message of Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa
THEODORE II
By the Grace of God, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria
and All Africa
To the fullness of our Apostolic and Patriarchal Throne:
Grace, mercy, and peace from our Risen Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ
My beloved children,
Once again, the sacred hymnographer joyfully proclaims the undeniable universal truth: CHRIST IS RISEN! And the ecclesiastical conscience confirms with gladness the all-Orthodox message: TRULY, HE IS RISEN!
If the 21st century thus far were to dare a courageous self-criticism, it would stand before tremendous achievements, yet it would certainly stumble upon problems that are difficult to resolve. These are situations that mingle satisfaction with disappointment, success with destruction, and contentment with sorrow. Many areas of our lives have significantly improved, yet many moments of our existence have been grievously wounded. We made ourselves gods and forgot, or even banished, the true God.
Sadly, we did not learn from the two world wars and the countless local and civil conflicts. We forget the past and fail to consider the future. Once again, we find ourselves trapped in the “I” and ignoring the “we.” We fail to perceive the fleeting nature of time and the vanity of wealth.
Once again, the drums of war sound in the same familiar places as before, in the Middle East. Peace is wounded, and our endurance is tested. The same is happening in our own land, beautiful Africa. There are countries where Christianity is bleeding, and people are fighting one another. Interests are many, and causes are numerous. The victim is peace, and the human being who is deprived of it. The powerful of the earth have not understood that schools are better than hideouts, medicines better than weapons, creation better than displacement, progress better than ruins, and solidarity better than hostility. The other person is not our opponent, but our brother. Wars, wherever and whenever they occur, inflict deadly wounds on the unity of society and leave scars upon the body of humanity.
The Risen Lord reminds us of our ability and emphasizes our potential to pursue peace and cultivate friendship among people. Let our relationships, our consciences, and our hopes be resurrected. We are not the same, but neither are we enemies. Christ is crucified each time His children suffer in various ways. Especially in this period, He is crucified in war-torn regions, where the first victims are civilians, women, and children. Our prayer is heartfelt and sincere: this is a crisis, and it will pass; it is war, and it will cease; it is temptation, and it will fade away. Let us remain steadfast in prayer and endure with patience. We must sow dialogue to reap coexistence and enjoy prosperity.
If Christ were not God, He would not have risen. Great personalities and enlightened leaders have passed through world history in various fields. Yet humanity has seen only one God who became man, who was willingly crucified and rose again, who was judged and condemned, who suffered and died once and for all, and that is Christ. We now possess a living certainty when we entrust our path to Him. One may pass through a personal Golgotha, but will ultimately arrive at vindication, peace, and freedom.
The God-Man accepted Peter’s denial, Judas’ betrayal, John’s demand, and Thomas’ doubt. At the same time, He endured the mockery of the crowd, the spear of the soldiers, the injustice of rulers, the unfair judgment of authorities, the scourging of the willing, and the abandonment of humanity. Meanwhile, we continue to waver between faith and doubt, ignorance and error, excess and hesitation.
This year again, the Resurrection of the Lord is not merely a celebration; it is a renewal of strength and an uplifting of our spirit. His Tomb was found empty, and His message is ever new. Jesus resisted death, struggled against it, and emerged as the Victor and Conqueror. Since then, there is no Resurrection without struggle, and no struggle is meaningful without Resurrection. In this contest, we too have our place.
CHRIST IS RISEN, my brothers and sisters!
It is the most joyful message ever heard on our planet, even if current events easily forget it and the news readily erase it in word and deed. Yet it will always remain to remind us of our struggle to remain alive despite adversities and to stand upright despite wickedness. From the depths of my heart, I pray that we may soon experience the joy of peace wherever it is shaken. May the suffering caused by war quickly pass, and may security for the future soon prevail.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
With fervent prayers to God,
† The Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa
THEODORE II
In the Great City of Alexandria
Holy Pascha 2026
