His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill addressed the archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics, and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church with his traditional Easter message.

Beloved in the Lord, Your Eminences the archpastors, honorable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

In all the richness and diversity of human language, there are no words more joyful and more desired by the believing heart than this powerful testimony to the victory of life over death and of good over evil.

“Christ is risen!”—in this good news is concentrated the hidden power of hope and the great assurance of faith by which people have lived since the time of their expulsion from Paradise. They lived in expectation of forgiveness, reconciliation, and deliverance—but the Lord has granted incomparably more, for in His love He “provided something better for us” (Heb. 11:40).

The Son of God came into the world and became man, sharing with us all the burdens of earthly existence and drinking to the dregs the cup of suffering, including the most bitter of all—the cup of death. “A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3), He took upon Himself our sins, voluntarily ascending the Cross.

But could death hold the Creator of life? Could the insatiable depths of Hades consume Him through Whose Word all things came into being (John 1:3)? “The glory of God has appeared in the universe, and it has illumined the netherworld. Death has been destroyed, the gates of Hades have been broken, and all creation that was once in darkness has been filled with light,” as St. Ephrem the Syrian proclaims the victory of the Savior over death.

Has it ever been heard that death returns its prey? And if it did, it was only for a time, only to take it again. But Christ, having risen from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him (Rom. 6:9). As the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20), He goes before us on this path: “Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Cor. 15:23).

God, who by His Incarnation renewed human nature and healed it from the wounds of sin, leads us by the Resurrection to even greater blessings. He not only restores what was lost, granting forgiveness and reconciliation with Himself, but also adopts us as His children through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5), giving to those who believe in His name the power to become children of God (John 1:12) and gods by grace.

Together with the springtime renewal of the blossoming world, the wondrous message of salvation once again spreads throughout the earth: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified? He is risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6). The tomb is empty! The Lord is risen, as He said (Matt. 28:6)!

The Easter of Christ is an inexhaustible source of our great joy—a joy flowing from the love of God for humankind, a love that surpasses all understanding, through which both visible and invisible blessings are revealed to us. The immeasurable power of this sacrificial love extends so far that it conquers Hades, opens Paradise, and grants forgiveness and true spiritual freedom.

“Love is strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6), declared the wise King Solomon. But we, the disciples of Christ, bear witness with conviction that love is stronger even than death. It overcomes time and space, casts down sin and the power of darkness. The all-merciful Lord calls us into the Kingdom of love—and none can enter it without having love in their heart. Let us therefore forgive one another, cast off the chains of mutual grievances and sorrows, be reconciled and embrace one another. Let us show mercy to those in need and comfort those who mourn.

Sanctified by Christ and entering into the wondrous triumph of Easter, we transfigure the world around us with the incorruptible light of the Resurrection, bringing it into the joy of salvation, for which all creation longs, seeking liberation into the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). Then our very life, lived in unity with the Lord, becomes a true Liturgy—a Liturgy of truly cosmic scale, in which every creature can offer thanksgiving and praise to the Creator.

In the world there are many spiritual paths, but only one is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is only one Conqueror of sin and death. Only One who opens the heavens. His name is Jesus Christ, and there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:11).

Heartily congratulating you all on the feast of Easter, I once again address to you the life-affirming and eternally encouraging witness that

TRULY CHRIST IS RISEN!

+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS’
Easter of Christ
2026