Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Dear Folks,

We are living in uncertain times. We constantly hear of war and the possibility of wars. The Russo-Ukraine War is now in its fifth year. In January 2026, the United States attacked Venezuela and captured the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. Then in March 2026, the United States and Israel launched a ferocious war of aggression against Iran. There is speculation that the United States might next take action against Cuba. Or that China might attempt to take Taiwan by force in 2027. All this reminds me of what Jesus told his disciples in the Olivet Discourse:

But when you hear of war and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. (Mark 13:7; OSB; italics in original)

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus was preparing his disciples for the momentous upheavals that would culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple in AD 70. As much as we might be interested in Jesus’ prediction of the future, our attention should be on the first thing Jesus told his followers because the first thing mentioned is usually the most important:

Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He.’ And will deceive many. (Mark 13:5-6; OSB)

In troubled times like these, people become prone to spiritual instability which makes them prone to deception—false hope, paranoia, and fanaticism. This is all the more reason why we need to heed Jesus’ admonition not to be deceived.

 

The Church as Our Rock

People are looking for a rock to stand on while chaos rages around them. Recently, growing numbers of people have been flocking to Orthodoxy. They are attracted to the Orthodox Church’s ancient Faith, its reverent worship, and its commitment to an unchanging Faith. They are also drawn to Orthodoxy’s emphasis on humility, sobriety, and inner stillness. For many inquirers, Orthodoxy offers safe harbor in stormy times. This is not surprising. In Matthew 16, Jesus likened the Church to a rock that would withstand the gates of Hades. The rock of Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ would later be expanded to the Easter proclamation: “Christ is Risen!” This confession is the rock on which the Christianity is founded. By his death on the Cross and his third-day Resurrection, Jesus Christ defeated humanity’s ancient enemies: sin, corruption, the Devil, and Death. The Church is the Rock when it proclaims the Good News at every Liturgy throughout the year but especially on Pascha (Easter) when we shout: “Christ is Risen!” and respond back: “Truly He is Risen!”

 

Icon – Saints Constantine and Helen Holding the True Cross

The Orthodox Church is a rock for these crazy times. On Sunday mornings, when I enter Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Honolulu, Hawaii, I first see a huge mosaic icon of Christ the Pantocrator (Ruler of All) flanked by Mary the God-Bearer and John the Forerunner. I bow in worship to Christ the Lord, then I ask Saint Mary and Saint John for their prayers. Nearby is an icon of Saints Constantine and Helen. Lately, as I read the news about the state of domestic politics and international relations, I find myself looking to Saint Constantine as my prayer partner. I am struck by the fact that here is a pagan Roman emperor who became a Christian saint and who sought to Christianize the Roman Empire. So, I ask Saint Constantine to pray with me during the litany in the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom:

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Good News for Crazy Times

Jesus’ death on the Cross was the sacrificial offering of the Passover Lamb who would enact the New Covenant for the New Israel (the Church). Jesus’ third-day Resurrection was the triumph of good over evil, of Life over Death. There is a certain irony in the fact that Jesus’ execution by a reluctant Roman governor would lead to the Christianization of the Roman Empire and the transformation of Emperor Constantine into Saint Constantine. The Good News is more than the forgiveness of sins. It is also the promise of transformed lives and societies. Pagan Rome became Christian Rome thanks to the faithful witness of ordinary Christians who followed Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. The transformed lives of Emperor Constantine and the ordinary Christians back then point to theosis—the partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The Good News for the crazy times we live in right now is that Jesus Christ has conquered Death and that Christ has the power to transform ruthless pagan rulers into saints.

Christ is our Rock for our Orthodox Faith. Stability, standing steadfast and not wobbling in faith, is an intrinsic part of being Orthodox. The Apostle Paul admonished the early Christians in Thessalonica:

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15; RSV; emphasis added).

Let Jesus Christ and his Church be our Rock in the coming days. Christ is Risen! Trampling down Death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Robert Arakaki

 

References

Robert Arakaki. 2015. “Constantine The Great: Roman Emperor, Christian Saint, History’s Turning Point.”  Again and Again – Frmilovan.wordpres.com.

Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald. “The Meaning of Theosis As the Goal of Christian Life.” Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, South Ogden, Utah.

Leo the Great. “Letter 156.” §II. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Vol. 12, p. 100.

Father John Whiteford. 2016. “The New Israel, New Jerusalem.” Orthodox Christianity (OrthoChristian.com)