« Paschal Message of Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe »
19-04-2025 
Paschal Message of Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics of the Western European Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Beloved in the Lord fellow archpastors and pastors, dear brothers and sisters!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
The time has come for all of us to enter into the joy of our Lord!
In all the churches and parishes of our Exarchate, across the various countries and regions of Western Europe, the victorious proclamation of the Resurrection of the Son of God resounds on this Paschal night in many languages.
Let us not, indeed we cannot, fall into despondency, despair, or doubt today. No matter how burdensome the events of the surrounding world may be, they cannot cast a shadow over today's celebration. For a door has been opened to another world, to another reality, where there is light, grace, triumph, and joy in Christ Jesus our Lord. And He truly speaks to us, to His disciples and followers:“I live, and ye shall live” (John 14:19).
May the words of the Revelation of John the Theologian be fulfilled in us today: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). And may this encounter with eternity, this experiential knowledge of what God has prepared for those who love Him, may our saving faith strengthen us, when we return to our daily lives, to become heralds of Peace, witnesses of Light, and apostles of Love.
To all of you, my beloved ones, I wish a blessed Pascha!
CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!