PASCHAL EPISTLE
Of His Eminence NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Venerable Brother Archpastors, Venerable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters scattered throughout the world, I greet you all with Christ’s love with the Paschal kiss: “CHRIST IS RISEN!”

“I wish you all that is bright in these days,” writes St Theophan the Recluse, “and in all the days to come. The Lord is always sweetness, and joy, and peace! Strive always to be with the Lord, and you will always celebrate the Bright Pascha.”

“Your Resurrection, O Christ Savior, the angels proclaim in the heavens” – we sing on this night, with trepidation asking that the Lord grant us to glorify Him with a pure heart. Alas, the peoples of this age do not heed this call, struggling in a deadly battle for earthly goods, they do not heed the call of the Divine to arrange life on the foundations of Christ’s teachings and the Holy Gospel. The current conflicts, when people seek temporary goods through enmity, divisions, and cruelty, are distressing, but they shouldn’t frighten us today, nor should the conversations about various prophecies concerning the end of the world.

For the Lord says: “You will also hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for it is necessary for all this to happen, but the end is not yet…” (Matthew 24:6-7). Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who passed away 90 years ago in the cradle of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad – in Sremski Karlovci, Yugoslavia, said that the confidence of the ancient Christians in God’s mercy and the ultimate victory of Perfect Good over evil, of Life over death, was so strong that “they seemed not to take their eyes off contemplating His future victory, and therefore imagined this very future as something bright and joyful, when Christ the Savior will wipe away the tears from every human face.”

Therefore, after a long and fruitful Lent, may we all not grow weary of kindling within ourselves the gracious gift of the Christian calling, deepening our prayers and bringing to the feet of Christ the Life-Giver our gifts: unashamed faith, sincere love, and unwavering hope, and He will not abandon us! “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you,” writes the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:6-7). And let us pray for the mighty of this world and for those who lack the Paschal joy and whose inner peace is shaken, that the “beginning of eternal life of another kind” may touch their hearts “on this chosen and holy day,” “when we bless Christ forever.” Amen.

I beseech your holy prayers, remaining with the Paschal joy of the Risen Christ and with my kindest and best wishes,

+ NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Pascha 2026