Paschal Message of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church
Beloved in the Lord Most Reverend archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters: CHRIST IS RISEN!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
In all the richness and diversity of human language there are no words more joyful and longed-for by a believing heart than this convincing testimony to the accomplished victory of life over death and of good over evil.
“Christ is Risen!” — in this good news is concentrated the hidden power of hope and the great trust of faith by which people have lived since the expulsion from Paradise. They lived in expectation of forgiveness, reconciliation and liberation — but the Lord gave incomparably more, for in His love He “provided some better thing for us” (Heb. 11:40).
The Son of God came into the world and became man, shared with us all the burdens of earthly life and drank to the dregs the cup of suffering, and the bitterest of them — the cup of death. “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3), He took our sins upon Himself, voluntarily ascending the Cross.
But could death hold the Creator of life? Could the insatiable abysses of hell swallow Him by Whose Word all things were made that were made (John 1:3)? “The glory of God appeared in the universe and illumined the depths of the netherworld. Death is destroyed, darkness is scattered, the gates of hell are shattered, and all creatures that were formerly in darkness are illumined with light,” St. Ephraim the Syrian inspiredly sings of the Savior’s victory over death (“Jesus — the Light of the World”).
Has it ever been heard that death gives back its prey? And if it did give it back, it was only for a time, so as to take it again later. But Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over Him (Rom. 6:9)! He, being the firstfruits of them that slept (1 Cor. 15:20), goes before us on this path: “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:23).
God, Who by His Incarnation renewed human nature and healed it of the wounds of sin, leads us by the Resurrection to still better pastures. He not only restores to people what was lost, granting forgiveness and reconciliation with Himself, but also adopts us as His children by Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5), and to those who believe in His name He gives power to become the children of God (John 1:12) and gods by grace.
Together with the spring transfiguration of blossoming nature, the wondrous news of salvation spreads again and again throughout the world: “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6). The tomb is empty! The Lord is risen, as He said (Matt. 28:6)!
The Pascha of Christ is the inexhaustible source of our great joy — a joy flowing from the love of God for the human race, which passes all understanding and through which blessings visible and invisible are revealed to us. The immeasurable power of this sacrificial love reaches so far that it conquers hell, opens Paradise, and grants forgiveness and true spiritual freedom.
“Love is strong as death” (Song 8:6), affirmed King Solomon, rich in wisdom. But we, the disciples of Christ, testify with conviction that love is stronger even than death. It overcomes time and space, and casts down sin and the might of darkness.
The All-Bountiful Lord calls us into the Kingdom of love — and it cannot be entered without having love in one’s heart. Let us then forgive one another, cast off the chains of mutual offenses and grievances, be reconciled and embrace one another. Let us show mercy to those in need and comfort those who mourn.
Being sanctified by Christ and entering into the wondrous triumph of Pascha, we transfigure the world around us with the incorruptible light of the Resurrection and bring it into the joy of salvation, which the whole universe awaits, longing to be delivered into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). Then our very life, lived in unity with the Lord, becomes a true Liturgy — a Liturgy of truly cosmic scale, in which every creature can offer thanksgiving and praise to the Creator, exclaiming: “Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind!” (Sunday troparion, Tone 1).
In the world there are many spiritual quests, but only One is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). Only One is the Victor over sin and death. Only One opens the Heavens. His name is Jesus Christ, and there is salvation in no other (Acts 4:12).
Cordially congratulating everyone on the feast of Pascha, I address to you again and again the life-affirming and ever-encouraging testimony that
TRULY THE LORD IS RISEN!
+KIRILL
Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’
The Pascha of Christ
2026
Paschal Epistle by Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow & All Russia to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics & All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church
Beloved in the Lord, Most Reverend archpastors, reverend presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
In all its richness and diversity, the human language knows no words more joyful and desired for the believing heart than this overwhelming testimony to the victory of life over death and good over evil.
“Christ is Risen!” This good news encapsulates the cherished power of hope and the great expectation rooted in faith by which people have lived since the expulsion from Paradise. They have lived awaiting forgiveness, reconciliation, and liberation. Yet the Lord has granted to us incomparably more, for in His love He has “provided some better thing for us” (Heb. 11:40).
The Son of God came into the world and became man. He shared with us all the burdens of our earthly existence and drank to the bottom the cup of suffering, the most bitter of which was the cup of death. “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Is. 53:3), He took upon Himself our sins by voluntarily ascending the Cross.
Yet could death contain the Creator of life? Could the insatiable depths of Hades consume the One through Whose Word all things were made that were made (John 1:3)? “God’s glory shineth upon the world and enlighteneth the very depths of the abyss. Death is annihilated, night hath vanished, and the gates of hell are broken. Creatures lying in darkness from ancient times are clothed in light,” Venerable Ephraim the Syrian writes in his “Hymn to the Light,” inspiringly praising the Savior’s victory over death.
Do we know of instances when death ever returned that which it gained? And if it ever returned it, then only until it would take it back again. But Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him (Rom. 6:9)! He, being the firstfruits of them that slept (I Cor. 15:20), goes before us on this path, for “Christ is the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” (I Cor. 15:23).
God, Who through His Incarnation renewed human nature and healed it from the wounds of sin, through the Resurrection leads us to better pastures. He not only returns to people that which they have lost, granting them forgiveness and reconciliation with Him; He also adopts us to Himself by Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5) and to them that believe on His name gave He power to become the sons of God (John 1:12) and gods by grace.
Along with the spring transformation of nature coming to life, the amazing news of salvation again and again hurtles to every corner of the earth: “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified? He is risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6). The tomb is empty! The Lord is risen, as He said (Matt. 28:6)!
Christ’s Pascha is the inexhaustible fount of our great joy, a joy which flows from the love of God for humankind, transcending all understanding. Through it, all good things, visible and invisible, have been revealed to us. The boundless power of this sacrificial love extends so far that it vanquishes Hades, opens the gates of Paradise, and grants forgiveness and genuine spiritual freedom.
“Love is strong as death” (Song 8:6), says King Solomon, rich in wisdom. Yet we who are Christ’s disciples testify with conviction that love is even stronger than death. It overcomes time and space, casts down sin and the power of darkness.
The All-Merciful Lord calls us to the Kingdom of love, yet we can enter it only with love in our hearts. Let us, then, forgive and embrace one another; let us show charity to those in need and extend consolation to the afflicted.
Being sanctified by Christ and partaking in the wondrous triumph of Pascha, we transform the world around us through the incorruptible light of the Resurrection. We bring it into the joy of salvation which the whole Universe awaits, striving for the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). It is then that our lives, lived in oneness with the Lord, become a true Liturgy—a Liturgy of truly cosmic proportions—in which every created being can render thanksgiving and praise to the Maker in proclaiming: “Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind!” (Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 1).
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption…
In the world there are many spiritual searches, but only one is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is only one Victor over sin and death. There is only One Who opens up the heavens, and His name is Jesus Christ, and neither is there salvation in any other (Acts 4:11–12).
From the depths of my heart, I greet you all on the feast of Pascha, and again and again I address you with the life-affirming and age-old uplifting testimony that
THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!
+KYRILL
Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia
Pascha of the Lord
2025 A.D.