April 26, 2012
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS` MESSAGE ON THE SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARERS
Christ is Risen!

Just as the Sundays before Holy Pascha each had a theme, or a lesson for us to understand, so do the Sundays afterward. This Sunday is dedicated to the Myrrh-Bearers, the Myrofores, and the wonderful miracle that they witnessed early in the morning on the first day of the week, as these faithful women went to fulfill their final obligation of love and service to their beloved Teacher. We are told that they came to the tomb early in the morning, with myrrh and ointments to anoint His body. The only thing they thought of was Christ.

Because of their faithfulness, they were the first to learn of His Resurrection. An angel announced to them that Christ was risen, to go and tell the others the good news of His Resurrection, and that He would be with them.

When they set out early in the morning, these women didn`t know that they were going to be witnesses to the Resurrection, but they loved Christ, and because of their love, God blessed them.

My dear ones, although we don’t understand the mind of God nor His will, we can certainly understand here that our Lord delivered His will to humans, to women who were courageous and faithful. Our Lord chose these women to communicate the good news of His Resurrection to the disciples, as they were hiding in the locked upper room, from fear of the authorities. It was to this locked room of fear, grief and defeat that the women brought the astounding news that their Teacher was not dead, but alive!

So our Lord brings His grace to the locked rooms of our own lives, releasing us from our pain, anger and grief, setting us free from sin, death and the power of evil, to receive His abundant blessings of love, life and hope.

On the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers, I honor all our beautiful women of faith, who take the responsibility to learn more, and teach their husbands, children and friends, setting an example for those who are neglecting their Church out of ignorance, hesitation, laziness or other obstacles that society places in our path.

Let us resolve then, as we commemorate and celebrate the faithfulness of the Myrrh bearers, to emulate their example and, in humility and love, “Go and tell the others.”