Bishop Dositej’s Easter Message

Dear brothers and sisters, dear priests and believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland; those of you who have recently arrived from the home land and those of you who were born here, parents and children and in particular the elderly in nursing homes and the ill in hospitals; those in mourning and those who are distressed or alone, scared and without hope, confused by events that surround us and in the world: to all of you I exclaim with joy, happy Festival of festivals!

CHRIST IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED!

In the events, suffering and resurrection of the Son of God the secret of life was revealed to us. The Lord God Jesus Christ, the source of life, filled with grace and love, carries our wordly nature and shows us that we are man created in his image, so that together with Him in his glorious festival we show ourselves, always renewed, like the defeaters of death and inhabitants of paradise.

Like the heavens dominate the earth this Festival with it’s joyousness, love, hope and righteousness dominates death and sadness, reveals the transience of all worldly realities and thunderously witnesses ”death is transient and life is everlasting”. From this Great festival, from it’s truth and beauty we should draw hope and strength and like that in this age and world resist all misfortune and defeat the last and the greatest enemy and that is death.

During the days of this Holy festival of Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus, we thank Him for the gift of life which He has given to us because that is, with the gift of faith, the most beautiful gift that God has blessed us with. I beg all of you dear children of the spirit, to live by spreading love, in your family, church and society, and in that way we all together show brothers and sisters our Lord Jesus.

To witness everywhere the strength and beauty of our faith which springs from the Son of God and His chosen ones and faithful cross bearers and witnesses of the resurrection from the dead. The only cure for all our pain and weakness is offered to us through unity with the Lord in the resurrected Jesus so hurry toward Him and meet with Him in church at the Holy Liturgy, in the house of the poor and reluctant, in the tear of the suffering and grieving, in the smile of a child and in works of art; discover Him in the beauty of a bird, flowers and nature and before all else in the contentment in your heart.

We are still under various restrictions because of the Covid pandemic, we hope for not much longer, so we sincerely ask you to follow the guidance of your priests and church committees and collaborate with them to keep church attendance safe.

Have a happy and blessed Easter. The Festival above all other festivals, may Resurrected Lord bless you, your churches and homes with love and health onwards!

Easter 2021
+ D O S I T E J
Bishop of Great Britain and Scandinavia
The Monastery of Most Holy Virgin
Smedjerid, Sweden