I remember being about ten years old and proudly holding my candle during the midnight Pascha service. The church was packed, people were pressing on me and I knew not to get too close to the girl in front of me fearing I might torch her hair.

That evening and to this day, three Greek words echo in my mind and heart as the powerful hymn 'Christ is Risen!' was chanted "Thanato, Thanaton Patisas!" (By His death He has trampled down death)

Jesus came to trample down death. We, as Orthodox Christian's boldly proclaim this glorious reality of Christ's resurrection. Christ's resurrection is about life in the midst of death and of new possibilities in the midst of despair. We may be "in the tomb" of our troubles but His light is always with us to show us a new way of love and life.

He has promised that nothing will keep us from His love, His power, His compassion. Nothing will keep us from His embrace and His real love for us as His beloved children.

If we want it, there is no illness, no war, no family issues, no death that will keep us from God's love. The question is, "do we really want it?" If we desire this life in Christ, our Lord will be sure to guide us into that light which shines for all to receive.

That light of Christ will guide our words, our deeds and our entire being will witness His resurrection. We will be cultivating stillness of heart and mind through living prayer. We will see things more clearly, and be open to hear the inner voice of our soul, where God speaks to us. The soul is where we draw upon this living water. Through a life of continued reflection, repentance and prayer, God's light will teach us to embrace the sacred in all that is around us in our everyday life.

As many come forth to receive the Holy Sacrament of Confession, I am in awe of God's mercy and transforming power in your lives. Please make it a priority to make an appointment to receive this Holy Sacrament during Great Lent as we prepare for His glorious resurrection.

Pascha is truly about receiving the light, accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives. At the midnight Paschal Divine Liturgy, may we all hold candles, united by one flame, to proclaim Christ's resurrection and become unified and transformed, being a light unto the world.

I am grateful for your example, prayer and the love you have shown for one another. When visitors come to our church and share in worship and other events like the Crab Feed, so many share comments about the warm welcome from those in our community of Holy Apostles. Let us continue to invite people to "come and see" the apostolic faith, upholding the original teachings of Christ for nearly 2000 years. May we continue to be true "Christofori ~ "bearers of Christ's light" in this world.