“The Resurrection is not a natural phenomenon. It is Christ’s gift to all humanity,” emphasized Patriarch Daniel of Romania during the Resurrection service at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
He explained that the Resurrection is not merely a return to earthly life, but the beginning of a new existence: “The Resurrection of Christ is not a return to biological, transient life, but the abolition of death and the inauguration of eternal heavenly life.”
Highlighting the uniqueness of the Christian faith in the context of the ancient world, the Patriarch noted that belief in Christ’s Resurrection and the resurrection of all people at the end of time was “the newest and most unusual belief” of that era. He added that, unlike philosophical views of the time, Christianity affirms not only the immortality of the soul but also the resurrection of the body.
Patriarch Daniel further pointed out that, although Christ raised others from the dead, His own Resurrection is fundamentally different, as it inaugurates “a new life: eternal heavenly life.”
He also stressed that Christ Himself revealed this mystery, declaring: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Referring to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, he underlined that “Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9), noting that the Resurrection concerns the whole human person, including the body, which will be transfigured: “The bodies of the resurrected will be spiritual, incorruptible, and immortal.”
Describing Pascha as the “Feast of Feasts,” the Patriarch emphasized that the entire life of the Church is oriented toward the Resurrection, while preparation through fasting, prayer, and the Holy Eucharist leads to the full experience of this joy.
“This Feast of Feasts illumines and directs the entire life of the Church toward the general resurrection and toward the eternal blessedness of angels and human beings in the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity. We pray that God grants us all joy and peace, health and salvation,” he said.
Concluding, Patriarch Daniel expressed gratitude to the authorities and institutions that contributed to the smooth conduct of the celebrations, as well as to the clergy, choirs, and all those involved in organizing the services.
At the end of the service, the faithful received Paschal gifts, including blessed bread, an icon of the Resurrection, the Patriarchal message, traditional Easter bread, and red eggs.
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