Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

May 01, 2011 by Dan Triant

Gloriously we have recognized and celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! With a lit candle in our hands, the Church embraced us in singing the triumphant hymn, “Christ is Risen,” and then extended us the opportunity to experience the most perfect relationship with Jesus Christ to be found in this life - Holy Communion!

Now, a few days or even weeks past, we maintain the memory of that solemn night when we proclaimed the resurrection of our Lord; perhaps a few red eggs are even still on our kitchen counters. At this point we must now ask ourselves, what has changed?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8); therefore, Christ, and His Resurrection have not changed since our celebration of Pascha. The change that must take place is within each and every one of us, the faithful! With understanding and recognition of the Lord’s resurrection, a faithful Christian can not help but experience transformation in the midst of having received perfect Love! (1 John 4:16) Transformation of mind, body, and spirit through a renewed commitment to godliness and all things that are good.

Each time that we proclaim the Risen Christ, by greeting one another with the victorious words, ‘Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti!’ - let it be a reminder of the change that we are called to undergo after having experienced our Lord in such blessed fashion. When we respond to this greeting with victorious affirmation, ‘Truly He is Risen! Alithos Anesti!’ - let it reflect the reality that we have changed.

The celebration found in Christ’s Church is filled with depth and substantive glory. Take serious the charge to live your life with equal depth and substance. Through the beautiful experience of Pascha, we have been blessed with another profound opportunity to commit to Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection! (John 11:25)
Let the words reflect the choices, commitments, and identities of each and every faithful Orthodox Christian - Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

+ Fr. Luke Palumbis