Christ is risen !
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Christ is risen !
The God of love and life has conquered death and offers new life to all who believe
and identify their lives with the risen Jesus Christ.
On this holy day of Easter, as we gather in joy and gratitude, let us think about the
profound significance of the resurrection of our Lord.
Easter is not only a celebration of life over death; it is also a testimony to the power
of divine love. It is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments of our
lives, there is hope, there is light, there is the possibility of conversion and
transformation.
Humanity today faces terrible tragedies that stem from human evil. Wars, conflicts,
bloody strife, hunger and discord strike not only our region but the entire planet.
Human egoism now prevails over unity, even within the family and society.
The resurrection of Christ teaches us that reconciliation is possible, that peace is
possible. As followers of Christ, baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son and
the Holy Spirit, we are called to be peacemakers, serving unity and mutual
understanding.
The risen Jesus is the only one who gives mankind the tangible hope that goodness
and love will always prevail.
Let us place our trust in the one who opened the way to life for us, in the one who
gave his life for us in order to offer us redemption from our sins and weaknesses. On
this holy day, let us commit ourselves to becoming better, and better Christians.
May this Easter be a time of spiritual renewal for each and every one of us. May we
find the strength and courage to forgive, to heal the wounds of the past and to build
a better future.
Let us remember that true victory lies in God's immeasurable love. Let us turn to the
One who loved us to the point of sacrificing himself, and who rose again to give us
new life. Let us abandon our past, open our hearts and minds, and take the path of
love, kindness, reconciliation, brotherhood and solidarity.
May the light and love of Christ fill our hearts and guide our actions, so that the
values of peace, justice and reconciliation prevail, not only in Cyprus and the Middle
East, but also throughout the world.
May the peace and grace of the Risen Christ be with you all, now and forever.
+ Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus