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| The Resurrection of Christ, fresco from Dechani Monastery circa 1340 |
Serbian True Orthodox Church
PASCHAL ENCYCLICAL 2021
Hierarchical Council of the STOC
Under the Chairmanship of His Grace
Akakije,
Bishop of Uteshiteljevo
To all the Faithful Children of St.
Sava’s Church
We greet you on the Feast of Feasts,
the Radiant Resurrection of Christ:
CHRIST IS RISEN!
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” – Jn 16:20
Воскресенија ден – today is the day of the Resurrection. This is that most joyous day, when even before dawn an inexpressible joy touched the hearts of Christ’s disciples and echoed powerfully through all the coming ages.
The apostles accepted this joy with disbelief and caution. The day had just dawned, and the news of the victory over death astonished them. They were confused and felt a strange burning in their hearts. Nonetheless, the grace-filled joy only shined on them when they looked upon the Resurrected One in His still-earthly form. That was a joy above all joys, ecstasy, like the threshold of Heaven itself.
