Easter greetings of former metropolitans

We share two short excerpts from the Easter greetings of former metropolitans, along with the beautiful illustrations that accompanied them in the eparchial newspaper The Way.

In 1963, Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn wrote: “As we celebrate this great feast of Easter, it behooves us to examine our souls and meditate upon the importance of the Resurrection for us. Is it simply a day of traditional blessed foods enjoyed in colorful festivities? If we limit our commemoration of this day to strictly material things, it would indicate that we do not fully appreciate or understand Christ's resurrection. Then, our Easter customs become as empty shells devoid of the kernel or full meaning of the feast. 

The feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord is much more profound. It is unquestionable proof of the divinity of Christ and the credibility of His teachings. The resurrection of Christ is proof of the immortality of our own souls and of the existence of life hereafter.” 

Also, in 1980, Metropolitan Myroslav Ivan Lyubachivskyi, in his address together with other bishops of America, emphasized that: “On this Day of Resurrection, we view the great and final wonder of our God; 'Christ has passed over from shame to glory; Christ has passed over from death to life; Christ has passed over from earth to heaven! Let us pause then to fill our hearts with those glorious words from Resurrection Matins, 'You are our Passover, all fragrant and filled with light. You are the salvation of the world.'" 

So let us rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ and bring this news to the world.