Yearly Easter Message

Every year, there's the Easter Liturgy and midnight(morning) dinner party. Every year, we fast and prepared for Christ's resurrection after conquering our sins by dying on the cross and conquering Hades in the process. Here's my thoughts about this year's Easter.

Lot of things are happening in the world now, it's somewhat disappointing that we don't have time to come back to God. But, to those that started on coming back to God, we can survive our purges and the most difficult times in our lives. Just remember how Christ himself saw it all as a perfect man and perfect God. And despite how he was sent to his death by the people, he forgave them without a second thought. He came back to life as the fulfillment of the prophecy and showed us the true light we need.

And for every darkness in our lives, there will be light. God will save us through all the challenges we face, because he loves us all. Never forget about how God never gave up on us despite all of our shortcomings and transgressions.

Hristos Voskrese, Vaistinu Voskrese!
Christ is Risen, Indeed he is risen!

Uskrs 2016/Easter 2016

My first Easter as a member of the Orthodox Church/Pravoslavna Crkva was a moment to remember because it's my first time to serve and as well, read the Gospel in Filipino language. It's indeed true fasting is part of Lent and the anticipation of our Lord and God Jesus Christ's resurrection and destroying death by his death last Good Friday.

Serving was tiring to my body but not to my heart and mind. I did, while sick with pollen fever or maybe an actual fever and sore throat because of my body exhausted due to lack of sleep. It doesn't matter if your sick or not, if you want to serve God, go for it! We were given the free will to progress to God and not to regress. Keeping the Christian tradition and essence of Easter makes the celebration more solemn and joyful.

I am late to write this article because I am finding the time to sleep  since I am recovering from this illness and exhaustion but it's worth it to share the wonderful experiences.

God is risen, Indeed he is risen!
Hristos Voskrese, Vaistinu Voskrese!

The Holy Fire

Never in church history is there a true miracle dating back thousands of years than the Holy Fire.

The recent news that the fire was brought to Beograd from Jerusalim was a holy event for the people of Srbija. I wish I was there too...

Some bit of history:

Orthodox tradition holds that the Holy Fire is a miracle that happens annually on the day preceding Orthodox Easter, in which a blue light emanates within Jesus Christ's tomb (usually rising from the marble slab covering the stone bed believed to be that upon which Jesus' body was placed for burial) now in the Holy Sepulchre, which eventually forms a column containing a form of fire, from which candles are lit, which are then used to light the candles of the clergy and pilgrims in attendance. The fire is also said to spontaneously light other lamps and candles around the church. Pilgrims and clergy claim that the Holy Fire does not burn them.

Mind those who never believed in miracles or use science for themselves. It is a MIRACLE and if it is not, it should have burned everyone.

See. Life has miracles as long as we believe.

Hristos Voskrese +++ Vaistinu Voskrese +++

First of all, i would like to greet everyone a Blessed Easter. Christ is risen. Hristos Voskrese +++
We all know that after Easter, we can eat pork, do some stuff and anything. For me, however, our dedication and prayers to God should continue whether it is Easter or Pentecost or Dormition and Christmas. It is also important to know that being Christians, we know how Christ came from the tomb to prove to anyone that he destroyed death and rose up like how he made Lazarus rise up from his death in previous days.

One thing i missed is, the Holy Fire. The Holy fire that only the Eastern Orthodox Church can make every Easter Sunday. A true testament of God's miracle and power, not to mention the Snakes that protected the church in Kefalonia in Greece from pirates and every year appears at Dormition.

If ever i became an Orthodox and would be sharing the Holy fire with churchmates, it means that God works hard for us to know how he loved us even if we sin so much that is why we are being forgiven. No need to mention degrees of sin(seven deadly sins of the Roman Catholic Church) but the commandment of love and lessening our sins.

For me, Easter is the epitome of a new life, new life from a past sinful life and will live by God's miracle. A miracle that ensures us that we can do good, as long as we believe.