Dr. Augustin Sokolovski
Christ is risen! These are not merely words, but a profession of faith. The early Christians had no time to speak at length about their faith. For every word they spoke, they risked being called to account and becoming martyrs at once. They desired this. But the Church forbade seeking martyrdom on one’s own initiative. Therefore, one had to avoid it in every way and strive for it in every way; strive for it in every way and avoid it in every way. That is why the Creeds of that time were brief. And this is one of the very first Christian Creeds. Christ is Risen!
This exclamation says it all. For Jesus is not merely a man who preached in Palestine and performed many good deeds. He is the one and only Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world. Christ is risen!
Jesus did not simply fall asleep; He truly died. That is why He has truly risen from the dead. Christ is risen!
Jesus rose from the dead. He was truly dead. He was dead—more dead than any other dead person. For all deaths, the deaths of all people, fell upon Him. He descended into the depths of Hell. He overthrew it. Christ is risen!
We share this joy with one another. Because the Christian faith is such that only when we pass it on to others does it dwell in our hearts. Christ is risen!
At Easter, we bless the food brought to the church. For it is in the fellowship of brotherly love that Christ truly begins to be with us. He is among us. Christ is risen!