“CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!” – This was the joyful greeting that resounded throughout the radiant Paschal night at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the “Nativity of the Lord” in Chișinău, during the festal Divine Service officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, who was concelebrated by the Metropolitan Secretary, Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, along with the clergy of the Cathedral.

The liturgical responses for the Paschal night were offered by the Cathedral’s mixed choir, conducted by Mrs Angela Angheni.

Pastoral Message of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir on Holy Resurrection

“Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour, the angels praise in the heavens; grant that we on earth may also glorify Thee with pure hearts!”

Right Reverend Hierarchs,
Reverend and Venerable Fathers,
Honourable Monks and Nuns,
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ the Risen Lord,

Christ is Risen!

The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ brings peace and light, grace and blessing, from one end of the world to the other. It took place here on earth, and it was wrought first and foremost for us, mankind. Yet, the scope of the Resurrection transcends all human and earthly bounds, encompassing the entire universe and the heavens. Its boundlessness is that of the Son of God Himself, who became incarnate and took on human flesh, and for our salvation endured the crucifixion and death upon the Cross—to conquer death and the gates of Hades, to deliver all who believe in His Resurrection, and to receive them unto Himself in the glory at “the right hand of the Father”.

To glorify the Resurrection of the Lord is to glorify God “in the strength of His power” (Psalm 150:1), as the Prophet David proclaims in the Psalms. Our Lord Jesus Christ said of some of His disciples that they “shall not taste death until they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). The Resurrection of Christ is the coming of the Kingdom of God in power. Those disciples did not die before seeing Christ Risen from the dead; and we, who follow after them, shall not perish, if we faithfully preserve our belief in Him, the Conqueror of death.

Let us not confuse, beloved faithful, physical death—which is merely a passage from this life, a sleep of the body—with the second death, spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Those who truly believe in Christ and live in the light of His Resurrection, doing good works that glorify the Heavenly Father, become partakers in the Resurrection of the Lamb of God. They pass from this world, but the second death—that is, eternal separation from God at the Last Judgement—has no power over them, for they have believed in the Only Begotten Son of God, who came into the world “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Apostle Paul tells us that “if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). If we do not believe in the Resurrection, we remain in the darkness of worldly falsehood and demonic deception. If we do not believe in the Risen Christ, we are lost for eternity. Therefore, on this holy and glorious day of Pascha, let us pray to be made worthy of the Light of His Resurrection, so that, having our hearts and minds illumined, we may, together with the angels in heaven, glorify Christ’s Resurrection here on earth.

Christ is Risen!

This eternal and saving proclamation I wish to reach the hearts of all of you, both in our homeland and across the diaspora. May the Light of the Resurrection illumine our people wherever they may be. Let us all rejoice and celebrate our Lord, who is Risen from the dead. We pray that “His peace, which shall know no end” (Isaiah 9:6), may embrace all humanity. Let wars cease, so that no one shall be slain, but all, being “called to the Resurrection,” may treasure this gift of earthly life granted to each of us, and thus journey towards Christ—our Eternal Life.

Truly He is Risen!

Your father, a prayerful intercessor before the Lord of Life,
† VLADIMIR,
Metropolitan of Chișinău and All Moldova

The Resurrection of the Lord,
The Year of Salvation 2025,
City of Chișinău