BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church
No.E56/09
05-April-2009
Apostolic Benediction to our beloved Metropolitans and our dear spiritual children: the Reverend clergy and the faithful of all our Malankara Syrian Jacobite churches and congregations in the Arabian Gulf Region, USA, Europe, Australia and Singapore.
At this blessed season of the resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, we have great joy in reaching you all through this message. St. Paul the blessed apostle, praising the resurrection of Lord, proclaims: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54). Man has achieved great progress and achievements in various fields of science, medicine etc. But on the other side we see that, the uncertainties of life and threats to human existence are emerging in diverse forms and measures, than ever before. Various new-new diseases and maladies for which we fail to find out remedy, and the other forms of disasters, like terrorism, violence, religious and territorial fundamentalism, unhealthy competitions etc., adds to that uncertainty of human life. These all explicitly infer that, man has his existence and hope of life only through God, who is the true giver and sustainer of life. Our Lord commanded that “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die”. (John 1:25, 26). The poor disciples became immensely dejected and totally lost at the death of Jesus. But without delay, on the very third day, He through his resurrection cheered them up beyond their perceptions, and instilled into them a new dimension and meaning of life. He proved that he is above death and the other uncertainties of this world. He came out as a grant victor by defeating the powers of death and satan. No forces could conquer him and keep him under its fist. Thus, St. Paul derides the evils of this world and death, and challenges, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” And he strongly proclaims that “Having been raised from death, death no longer has domain over Him”. The apostle again goes on to encourage us that “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)
Dear spiritual children, let us put our trust and hope, only in our Lord and seek the peace and consolation that He offers, which is above realms of this world. That only will give us real peace and prospect of life. That only can strengthen us to live a life of victory even in the midst of adversities, and lead a life worthy of salvation and eternal life. When we celebrate this feast of the Easter, let us sanctify and cleanse ourselves of all defilements of this world. Let us also clothe ourselves with the glory of the resurrection of our Lord and by Him be we besprinkled with a new fragrance of spirit. We wish you all a Blessed and Happy Easter and extend our Apostolic Blessings to you. May the grace of God be with you all forever. Amen.
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