Easter 2021

With a joyful spirit I would like to proclaim that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is Risen! – Truly He is Risen!

Saint John Chrysostom encapsulates the entire meaning of our Lord’s Holy Resurrection in his well known catechetical homily, which we read during the Divine Liturgy straight after the Resurrection service.

Saint John informs us who have fasted and prepared from the beginning of Great and Holy Lent that we are welcome into the Heavenly Banquet, however, even those who have not prepared and have arrived at the 11th Hour are also welcome into the Heavenly Banquet, showing us that God’s Mercy and Love cannot be understood with human logic. ALL are welcome to our Lord’s Heavenly Banquet as Saint John Chrysostom continues: “Let no one grieve over sins; for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb. Let no one fear death; for the death of our Saviour has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.”

God has gifted to humankind His ultimate Love and Mercy, He has gifted himself to us! In the Heavenly Banquet it doesn’t matter if we have come at the first hour or at the 11th; what suffices is that we attend and be a part of the Heavenly Banquet, to be part of our Holy Church, to be united with Him who has invited us, not as you think you should be, but as you are.

We may say to ourselves, as I am?… I am not worthy to feast at the Heavenly Banquet, no one is truly worthy to attend and partake of this Banquet however Christ has called you, it’s His to give and it’s yours if you want it. No one who  attends a Banquet is satiated with food and wine prior; no, on the contrary, one who attends a great Banquet makes sure to fast, is empty and sober prior to the Banquet because one wants to be filled with the sumptuous food and the intoxicating wine at the Banquet. We too, prior to the Heavenly Banquet must “empty ourselves” so as to make room for the ultimate food and drink… the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

If you would like to be a partaker at the next Heavenly Banquet (the Divine Liturgy) and you would like to prepare by “empting yourself” through the sacrament of Holy Confession and obtain instruction on fasting and prayer, then I highly suggest you find a spiritual Father who will be able to assist you in this and serve you the ultimate food and drink at the next Heavenly Banquet.

Χριστός Ανέστη – Αληθώς Aνέστη
Christ is Risen – Truly He is Risen

With Love in Christ,

Fr Prodromos
Holy Monastery of Saint John