His Eminence
THE MOST REVEREND
MYKHAYIL
Metropolitan of New York & all America
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Pascha, April 19, 2009

Христос Воскрес!  Воістину Воскрес!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Cristo ha Resucitado! En Verdad ha Resucidado!

سيح قام     حقا قام

Al Maseeh Qam!  Haqqan Qam!

My Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

Each Pascha gives us another opportunity to reflect on the central point Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. So too, each year brings with it, different experiences and challenges, which allow and encourage us to expand our commitment to our faith

Our Lord Jesus raised his friend Lazarus to life, from after four days in the tomb, making for us a prefiguration of our own resurrection. I am praying that this Solemn Feast Day of Pascha may begin a renewal of our spirits, a deepening of our faith and the success of all the good things we desire in our hearts

We take this opportunity to greet all of our people throughout the world, in North & South America, in Western Europe and certainly in Ukraine.

Inspired with the light of Pascha, we renew our call for the andvancement of a truly Ukrainian Orthodox Church - one that is free from fear and external subjugation. Remembering the words of the Jesus to his disciples, "It is I, do not be afraid" (Mt. 14:27), we recommit ourselves to the church for which our ancestors gave their lives.

May God, who has begun the good work in us, bring it to fulfillment!

With the bestowal of my blessing upon you and your loved ones, and the promise of my love and prayers, I remain,

Faithfully Yours in Christ,

+MYKHAYIL
Metropolitan of New York & all America