The Greek Orthodox greet one another during the Easter season with the phrase Christos Anesti! (Christ is risen). The response is Alithos Anesti (truly He is risen).
During this Easter season we recall the defeat of sin and death and the glorious resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. Just as the penitent thief on the cross next to Jesus said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” may we too have that same hope. From our creed we proclaim, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”
Our hope in Jesus Christ our Lord has come to fulfillment for He has conquered death & vanquished our sin & rose from the grave. While we may at times lose hope, and fall into sin, we have the promise that we too may have life eternal if we turn to our Lord. As Pope St. John Paul II once proclaimed, “we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song” (https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/angelus/1986/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_19861130.html).
Let us rejoice today for Jesus shows us the hope for eternal life if we place our trust in Him! Let us roll away our own stones that block the love for our God to shine in our life. Let us go rejoicing and spread the good news for today Jesus Christ is risen today, He is truly risen!
The prayer after holy communion in the missal:
Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favour, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
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