Agape Vespers 2016 Fr Michael Margitich

Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you on this

radiant, beautiful, joyous feast of the Lord's

resurrection. He is the first fruit. Someone

said, what's it mean that Christ is the first

fruits? I said, look at the tree when the fruit

just starts to come. That first one? That's Christ.

The other ones, that's us. He is risen and trampled

death by his death, and we will do the same.

So death has no power over us. We should have

no fear because God has set us free from death,

that stranglehold on mankind. Father Michael

is here, and of course, we want him to say a

few words to edify us and to inspire us. Christ

is risen. Indeed, he is risen. Well, I think

you capsulized what I was going to say. Christ

is risen, my dear people. Indeed, he is risen.

First, I want to give thanks to the Lord and

to you, all of you. who have so graciously extended

prayers and love and cards. And even someone

sent me Pascha this morning. And that was glorious.

You know, we tend to overlook the liturgical

significance of this day. Someone asked me why

Pascha is not considered in the list of twelve

because Pascha is an exceptional exceptional

revelation one that is beyond belief beyond comprehension

but the reality is there as the today The liturgical

hymn says today all creation rejoices and makes

glad for Christ is risen and hell has been destroyed.

Can you imagine what a tremendous significant

overwhelming Knowledge it is to know. That you

and I. Are not destined. To a six foot hole.

But we are destined to be. With the eternal God.

Who has revealed himself. In the Christ. The

Christ who has accepted. All of our sins. All

our iniquities. And went to the cross. Not because

he had to go. And this is the significant thing

of Pascha. Christ did not have to die because

he was sinless. He went voluntarily. He went

voluntarily. Today, the master has despoiled

hell and raised the prisoners whom it had held

from ages to ages in captivity. And the icon

of Pascha shows brilliantly. how our Lord extended

his hands to release Adam and Eve from their

grave and brought them back to paradise. Bless

God in the churches, O Lord, all you who are

Israel's fountain. Let God arise. Let his enemies

be scattered. and let those who hate him flee

before his face. Christ is risen, my dear people.

CHOIR SINGS moment. Thank you. Christos Christos

Christos Christos Christ is risen. Christ is

risen. Thank you. Thank you. Christ is risen.

Christ is risen. Christ is risen.