Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope and pray that you are healthy and that the news from your loved ones, from near or far, continues to be good!

We live in trying times in every respect: medical, economic, social, familial and, not in the least, spiritual-religious. I don't think there is anyone who disagrees that these times of concern for us and our families, of insecurity, heightened stress and anxiety, will live forever in the memory of this generation and in the history of the whole world.

One thing is clear from all this situation: man is a fragile being.

As you already know, this pandemic also had and continues to have a very negative impact on the places of worship of our Diocese and around the world. Religious services continue, but the believers who make up the living, militant and dynamic Church cannot be present. We, the clergy, miss every one of you, and sorrow fills our hearts when we don't see the children with the lit candle in their innocent hands and the timid steps approaching the Holy Chalice for communion with Christ. Sadness is amplified as we approach the Feast of Light, the Lord's Resurrection, Easter, the Feast of joy and of Christ's victory over death, sin, and Hades.

In the context of the present situation, even if you cannot be physically present at the Divine Liturgy on the night of the Resurrection, or on any Sunday and Feast day, being at home, you are like the Savior's Apostles, who, gathered behind the locked doors, were surprised by He who is uncontained, the resurrected Christ, who  "stood in  their midst and said to them: ”PACE BE TO YOU!" (John 20:19).

Therefore, this peace is the first gift that Christ gives to the world, which is renewed to us whenever we come and affirm/fulfill our vocation as liturgical beings, being blessed by the priest with the Christly greeting "Peace be to all!"

I urge you, especially now, not to forget those who are in much more difficult situations and to be the good Samaritans, pouring over their wounds and troubles oil and wine, multiplied by prayer and visible love!

At the same time, I urge you not to forget your Church where some of you have married and/or baptized your children. The Church, as you know, does not receive any financial aid from any government or organization. Times are tough, but Church expenses are the same as before. In the words of St. Paul, “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not with regret or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to multiply all grace in you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…” (II Corinthians 9:7-8).

 Don't forget to pray more diligently and thank God for all the gifts and blessings bestowed upon you!

For now, the services are being broadcast live via the Internet, which you can access from your own parish or from another one, but certainly from the Cathedral of our Diocesan Centre, and I urge you to take part, with the usual humility and reverence, so that the church at home may be in communion of prayer and steadfast love with the Church, the house of our salvation and comfort.

May the good and merciful God bless us all with health, peace, the joy of salvation and a good heart, and may the light of Christ's Resurrection be a true guide along our earthly pilgrimage!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

 Fr. George Bazgan

COSMIC RESURRECTION

The days are longer,
The sun is stronger,
The winter’s old,
Gone is the cold!

The spring is here,
Hurrah and cheer!
All things I like
Come back to life.

Blue jays and sparrows
Engage in quarrels;
Through clouds like foam,
The geese come home.

The soul rejoices
In lenten choices;
Christ enters again
J e r u s a l e m.

He comes to Passion
In humble fashion,
His life He gives,
The world lives!

Praise, all creation
His Resurrection!
Enjoy the season,
For, CHRIST IS RISEN!

by Fr. George Bazgan