April 18, 2006
Paschal Message 2006
Protocol 06-5

May we not remain outside Christ`s Bridal Chamber!
Kontakion of Holy Monday

The Devout Clergy, Monastics, and
The Faithful Members of
The Holy Metropolis of Denver

Beloved in the Lord,

For over two months, from the beginning of the Triodion, we attempted to enter into the spirit of hopeful anticipation and to unite our lives with the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many did; many did not.

Yet the unending joy of our Lord`s Resurrection is so great that it easily overlooks the lack of preparation by those who love the Lord and His coming and who wish to enter into His Bridal Chamber, the Kingdom of Heaven. He knows that the spirit is willing but our fallen nature is weak. He is a merciful God, a forgiving God, a loving God. And His love endures forever.

He created us to live in the eternal light where He reigns. In His presence there is only light, for He is the Light. He desires that we willingly share in the beauty of His creation. He is a selfless God, a sacrificing God. As perfect God, He has no need of anything; yet He fills the needs of His creatures.

How truly blessed we are to have such a God Who loves us. What god is a great as our God? He is the God Who alone brings about wonders! How, then, can we not stop in our earthly journey to offer to Him our love, imperfect as it now is? How can we not take the time from our mundane affairs to glorify and to thank Him, placing our temporal pursuits by the wayside even for just a little while?

Let us, then, pause now and pray to Him that we may not remain outside of His Bridal Chamber. Above all, let us joyfully cry out to one another until the day of the Ascension:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

XPICTOC ANECTH!

To Him be the glory and the dominion to the ages of ages.


With Paternal Blessings in our Risen Savior,

+Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver