Very soon now, we will hear it: Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. As we celebrate the joyous Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are filled anew with the sacred hope that He gives us by His triumph over death.
As His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew reminds us: “All that we believe, all that we love, and all that we hope as Orthodox Christians is associated with Pascha, from which everything derives its vividness, through which everything is interpreted, and in which everything acquires its true meaning.”
And indeed, as we are about to celebrate Pascha and then enter Bright Week, we see that even amid the devastation of Russia’s unjust and unprovoked war in Ukraine, there is so very much that is bright and vivid. Above all, we thank our loving God for the continuing worldwide ministry of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the longest-serving and one of the most consequential Ecumenical Patriarchs in history. His All-Holiness stands as a prophetic voice heard all over the globe in speaking the truth about Russia’s horrific invasion. We are likewise grateful for the sacred ministry of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, and for his tireless efforts to strengthen our Holy Archdiocese of America.
Looking around us as flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, we see signs of a spiritual springtime, a great renewal in God’s Holy Church: we just completed the hugely successful John Halecky, Jr. 18th Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat, featuring the eloquent and wise Fr. Nicholas Louh as Retreat Master. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation continues to grow at a brisk rate, far exceeding all expectations. Archons continue to be a force for good in the world: go to Archons.org and take some time to peruse it, and you will see all the wonderful accomplishments of Archons in all manner of fields.
On this blessed day, we give thanks to God for each of you, your families, and for your ongoing labors on behalf of our Mother Church. As you know, there is a great deal more work to do, and I thank God that He has brought together in the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle so many accomplished, capable people with deep and unending devotion to our Holy Mother Church. By His grace, we will continue and expand our multifaceted efforts to support and defend the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the sacred Center of our Faith.
Maria and our entire family join me in wishing all Archons and your beloved families a Pascha blessed with the joy and peace of the Lord and His All-Holy Mother.
Χριστός Ανέστη! Ἀληθῶς Aνέστη!
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander
