EASTER EPISTLE OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH TO HER SPIRITUAL CHILDREN AT PASCHA 2026
PORFIRIJE
Orthodox Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch, together with all the hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church – to the clergy, monastics, and all the sons and daughters of our Holy Church: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, with the joyful Paschal greeting:
CHRIST IS RISEN!
The Word of God, the Gospel of Christ, the spiritual treasury of the Church of God—out of which, by the right hand of the Lord, seeds of eternal life are sown into our hearts—is filled with truths hidden in God. These are not abstract ideas, but words that are fulfilled in our lives. Among them are also the words by which the Lord warns us of times when peace will be taken from the earth (Rev. 6:3–4), when we shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, for nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom (Matt. 24:6–7; Luke 21:9–10).
These words, which to many generations of our forefathers sounded as a warning of times to come, are today the reality in which we live. We see unrest among nations, we hear of wars, and we witness wars, suffering, and uncertainty in the world. While the skies are torn by the trails of deadly rockets, and in the ears of troubled humanity resound the sirens announcing destruction and suffering, from the depths of Christ’s empty tomb is heard the voice of the angel, the witness of the Resurrection, who says to the myrrh-bearing women—and through them to all of us and to every human being: “Do not be afraid!” (Matt. 28:5). Fear is dispelled not only by the angel, but above all by Him Who abolished the fear of death, which is the essential cause of all fear. Having trampled down death by death, the Risen God-man Christ also addresses us with the words: “Do not be afraid!” (Matt. 28:10). Thus encouraged, we know that the frightening events of our days are not the final word of history, but a call to vigilance and steadfastness in God.
What do the signs of the times tell us today? Although Christ’s empty tomb has conquered the power of every grave and shown that no grave has the final word, in history and in our reality there still exist living tombs filled with hatred, selfishness, passions, and self-love. We recognize them in darkened human hearts, in boundless selfishness, in media that spread falsehood, in wars, and in all our passions and sins against the love of God. These tombs, despite Christ’s Resurrection, constantly distort and defile life itself as the priceless gift of God’s love.
One of the most disturbing examples of such reality is the fact that the consequences of today’s global crisis are, sadly, measured by cold economic indicators—the standards of earthly merchants (cf. Rev. 18:3)—financial losses, disruptions, and declines in markets and exchanges, while in the deep shadow of such calculations remain human tragedies: the death of the innocent, the suffering of children, and the misery of millions. Such a perspective, in which material gain is placed above human life, has not only led to wars and injustices—it is also strengthened by them. This is a great defeat for us as human beings.
The world in which we live is increasingly unstable, and man increasingly fearful. Systems of values are being systematically and forcibly altered in the direction of anti-values. Promises and agreements solemnly signed are brutally broken. The knowledge of such betrayals incites violence and ever greater divisions among nations, while political and cultural divides deepen. Upon the ruins of dying civilizations flourish spiritual uncertainty and loss of meaning.
Why, in all this darkness, is the Risen Lord not recognized? The answer is already given in the Gospel itself. Even His own disciples and immediate followers did not immediately recognize the Risen God-man Christ. Mary Magdalene saw Him by the empty tomb, not knowing that it was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 20:14). She recognized Him only when He called her by name: “Mary!” (John 20:16). Likewise, the apostles Luke and Cleopas did not recognize the Lord (Luke 24:16) on the road to Emmaus, but only “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35), when the Lord communed them.
The apostles did not recognize Him even when He stood on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias observing their unsuccessful fishing (John 21:4). They recognized Him only after, obeying His command, they cast the net on the right side of the boat and caught a multitude of fish (John 21:6–7). They recognized Him in the miracle as the spiritual space where divine power and human faith meet and embrace.
Nor did the apostles recognize Him in their gatherings behind closed doors: once they thought they saw a spirit (Luke 24:37), and another time they believed in the reality of the Resurrection and His presence based on the wounds of the nails and the spear (John 20:27). The Risen God-man Christ was among them, but they were not able to recognize Him immediately in ways familiar to them. This mystery of non-recognition is not only an event of the distant past, but a reality that continues to this day.
In order to see and recognize the Risen Lord, ordinary human sight is not enough. A new, spiritual vision is necessary—a gift from above, an experience of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we must enter into a relationship with Him so that He may grant us the knowledge of Himself. Thus the Lord opened the eyes of His disciples Luke and Cleopas so that they might recognize Him (Luke 24:31), and He opened the minds of the apostles gathered behind closed doors so that they might understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
The fact that the Risen Christ was not immediately recognized does not mean that He was hiding from people, but that He respected their freedom. In this way He again confirmed what was given to man from the beginning: the freedom to choose God and to believe in Him freely. Christ did not impose the truth of the Resurrection upon the human race, but placed it within the realm of faith. What would have happened if the Risen One had appeared to Pilate, stood before the Sanhedrin, or manifested Himself in the streets of Jerusalem? The proclamation of the Resurrection would then have become a demonstration of power, and truth itself would have been imposed. Instead, the Lord appears to those who love Him, thereby establishing new ways of recognizing and accepting true life.
What are these ways, and how can modern man experience this reality? First of all, as a personal encounter with God, in which the Risen One calls him by name, as He revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene. Without a personal prayerful and ascetical relationship, it is not possible to know or recognize God. Secondly, as communion, participation in the Eucharistic assembly, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Divine Liturgy. Like Luke and Cleopas, man receives from Christ Himself—through the hands of the clergy—the Bread that came down from heaven and gives life to the world. Finally, as obedience to the Word of God and as the experience of miracle, like the apostles at the Sea of Tiberias.
Miracles are not only extraordinary events or great divine interventions in history. The parting of the Red Sea was indeed a miracle. But it is also a miracle when we forgive and break the cycle of hatred. This is not merely a moral demand or an abstract principle—it is a manifestation of the Resurrection. Revenge is crucifixion without resurrection, while unforgiveness and hatred are death and a sealed tomb. Therefore, the Resurrection is not only an event of the past, but a reality into which we enter every time we forgive, when we do not return blow for blow, and when we recognize a brother in our enemy. Then we choose life instead of death.
We also recognize the Lord in every human suffering—of which there is, sadly, an abundance—and in every poor, rejected, and despised person, encountering Him through active love. For the Risen Lord Jesus Christ said: “As you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40). In this is shown that faith in the Resurrection is not merely an inner conviction, but a force that shapes our relationship toward others.
Today, with special attention and care, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija, the ancient historical source and spiritual center of the Serbian people, sharing with them all trials and strengthening them to remain steadfast in faith and life.
From such faith and such unity, dear spiritual children, let us enter into the joy of the Resurrection and proclaim: “Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One,” and with the Holy Apostle Paul cry out: “O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
Embracing one another, let us also say to those who hate us: Brothers! And let us sing together:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
We greet you all with the all-victorious and all-joyful greeting:
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Given at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade, at Pascha 2026.
Your prayer books before the Risen Lord:
Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovica and Patriarch of Serbia PORPHYRIJE
Archbishop of Sarajevo and Metropolitan of Dabro-Bosnia CHRISTOM
Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro-Lithuania JOANIKIJE
Archbishop of Sirmium and Metropolitan of Srem VASILIJE
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Banja Luka EPHREM
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Buda LUKIAN
Archbishop of Vrsac and Metropolitan of Banat NIKANOR
Archbishop of Novo Gračanica-Chicago and Metropolitan of Midwestern America LONGIN
Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Canada MITROFAN
Archbishop of Novi Sad and Metropolitan of Bačka IRINEJ
Archbishop of Stockholm and Metropolitan of Scandinavia DOSITHEJ
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Žička JUSTIN
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Vranje PAHOMIJE
Archbishop of Kragujevac and Metropolitan of Šumadija JOVAN
Archbishop of Požarevac and Metropolitan of Braničevo IGNATIJE
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Zvornik-Tuzla PHOTIJE
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Milesevo ATHANASIJE
Archbishop of Düsseldorf-Berlin and Metropolitan of Germany GRIGORIJE
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Raska-Prizren THEODOSIJE
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Kruševac DAVID
Archbishop of Romuliana-Zaječar and Metropolitan of Timočka HILARION
Archbishop and Metropolitan of Niš ARSENIJE
Archbishop of Sydney-Wellington and Metropolitan of Australia-New Zealand SILUAN
Archbishop of Zadar-Šibenik and Metropolitan of Dalmatia NIKODIM
Archbishop of Mostar-Trebinje and Metropolitan of Zahumlje-Herzegovina and Ston-Littoral DIMITRIJE
Archbishop of Los Angeles and Western America MAXIM
Archbishop of Gornja Karlovac GERASIJE
Bishop of Washington-New York and Eastern America IRINEJE
Bishop of Pakrac and Slavonia JOVAN
Bishop of Switzerland ANDREJE
Bishop of Bihać-Petrovica SERGIJE
Bishop of Buenos Aires and South-Central America KIRILO
Bishop of Osijek-Poland and Baranja HERUVIM
Bishop of Valjevo HISEHIJE
Bishop METHODIJE of Budimlje-Niksic
Bishop of Šabac JEROTHEJ
Bishop of Paris and Western Europe JUSTIN
Bishop of London and Great Britain and Ireland NEKTARIJE
Bishop retired of Zvornik-Tuzla VASILIJE
Bishop retired of Canada GEORGIJE
Bishop retired of Central Europe KONSTANTIN
Bishop retired of Slavonia SAVA
Bishop retired of Milesevo FILARET
Bishop retired of Niš JOVAN
Vicar Bishop of Remezia Stefan
Vicar Bishop of Mohacs DAMASKIN
Vicar Bishop of Marčana SAVA
Vicar Bishop of Hum JOVAN
Vicar Bishop of Hvostan ALEXEIJ
Vicar Bishop of Novo Brdo ILARION
Vicar Bishop of Lipljan DOSITHEJ
Vicar Bishop PETAR of Topli
Vicar Bishop of Jenopolja NIKON
Vicar Bishop of Moravica TIKHON
Vicar Bishop of Diocletian PAISIUS
Vicar Bishop of Kostajnica SERAPHIM
