Encyclical of Archbishop Sotirios for Holy Pascha (2026)translated

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Bishop Theophilus, Venerable Priestly Superiors, Honorable Presidents and Honorable Members of the Administration. Councils, Venerable Lords of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Benevolent Brotherhoods, Teachers, Students, Youth of the Communities and all the reverent staff of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

"The true light" Archbishop of Canada Sotiriou

The Patriarch enters the tomb of Christ. Believers with "burning hearts", lamps in hand, await the light. The Patriarch exits. "Come, receive light from the eternal light and glorify Christ who rose from the dead." He holds tongues of fire in his hands. The light of the Resurrection. Hands are outstretched. Lamps are lit. Hearts light up. Everything is celebrating. "Light of Christ shines everywhere." "Now heaven and earth are always filled with light." Christ himself said: "I am the light of the world." The "light of the people". The light that "always illuminates a person coming into the world". "The light was real."

On Resurrection Sunday and every Sunday, the faithful confess "We have seen the true light". Autophoton light, not heterophoton. The...