Pascha is the most meaningful Holy Day on the Christian Calendar. It is meaningful because it touches the very heart and center of the Christian Gospel Message, eternal life and death. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is modeled on the Passion and Death of Christ.

Each of us, in order to attain salvation has to die to the things of this world that are sinful, symbolized by our being placed into the baptismal font, so that we might be made a new creation in Christ and rise to a new sinless life, sharing in Christ’s resurrection, symbolized by our being raised up out of the water, as Christ was raised from His three-day Burial. Pascha is a Feast of Baptism. Jesus died under the power of sin and then rose to defeat it.

By His death, His voluntary self-offering in love for us, Christ has destroyed death and granted us life. By His action, by His shed blood and broken body, Christ has called us to be His Church,. This is our mission: Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

While Easter means bunnies and chocolate eggs to some, for Orthodox Christians, it’s a time to celebrate with religious services and a feast to end Lent’s strict fasting. Our weeks of preparation in prayer and fasting should hopefully bring us anxiously to the Risen Lord, to  be present in church, to light our candles and also sing: “The angels in heaven O Christ our Savior sing of Thy resurrection. Do Thou graciously enable us on earth, with a pure heart, to glorify Thee."        Forgiveness is at the heart of the mystery of the Resurrection.   Let us forgive one another so that we may cry aloud, “Christ is Risen!”   We cannot claim to be Christians, to dare to greet one another with this paschal greeting, unless we do so with a forgiving heart.

“Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.” A Blessed Pascha to all of you, and may the hope of the Resurrection ever grow and take root in your hearts, and bring you peace and joy!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! (Greek)

Christos Voskrese! Vostinu Voskrese! (Slavonic)

Al-Masi-H Qam! Hakan Qam! (Arabic)

Khristus Anahgrecum! Alhecum Anahgresum! (Aleut)

Happy Birthday to Richard Paul Rahnefeld who celebrates his birthday on May 27. May God grant you Many Years!

Many thanks to all who continue to support our Food Pantry. The need for many of our neighbors exist throughout the year and your help is greatly appreciated. Also, may we extent a speedy recovery to our Food Pantry Coordinator, Helen , who has recently undergone surgery. “O Holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who has sent Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments; do Thou visit and heal Thy servant, Helen, granting her release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that she may give thanks unto Thee and bless Thy Holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”