"Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! …Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead."

‒ From the Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

CHRIST IS RISEN!

How powerful, wonderful, and triumphant are the words above spoken by our father among the saints John Chrysostom! We hear them each year toward the end of Paschal Matins, and each year they proclaim Christ’s victory over death and hades, filling us with spiritual inspiration and joy during our Paschal celebrations. St. John in fact calls all of us to the joy of our Lord’s Day wherever we are and whoever we may be. The saints truly understood this great joy of Pascha, and it has been said that whenever our St. John of Kronstadt and St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco greeted the faithful with "Christ is Risen," one had the feeling that they themselves were so filled with Paschal joy that it was as if they themselves had seen the Risen Lord. The radiant joy of Pascha is so great that we cannot help but share this wonderful joy with all those around us. Having this in mind, let us share in this approaching Paschal joy by remembering those less fortunate than ourselves, those struggling in poverty and in great need. Let us remember our St. John of Kronstadt, who often brought consolation and comfort to families and individuals in great need, and let us all imitate his kind works of benevolence and kindness by helping others in need through our St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Fund.

We appeal to all to help us help others with your active participation by not only contributing what you can, but also by becoming members of our Memorial Fund, which is active since 1954. Help us by preserving this holy legacy which stives to follow the spiritual ideals of St. John. With your help and kindness, we can help spread that Paschal joy to the less fortunate and the needy.

We express our profound gratitude to our donors and supporters who continue in their kind contributions over the years. May our Risen Lord reward you all graciously!

May our Risen Savior bless you and your loved ones with a spiritually profitable Great Lent, Holy Week, and a most joyous, bright, and radiant Pascha!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

With much love in our Risen Lord,

Archpriest Michael Taratuchin
Vice-President of the St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Fund
Rector of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY, USA