Pascha 2011

Pascha, 2011

Beloved National Board Members, Chapter Presidents and Fellow Members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society,

I greet you during the Great and Holy Lent as we walk together towards the sacred mystery of unconditional love found in the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The anguishing events of the past months that have unfolded throughout the world, natural rippling catastrophes, man created wars and the dampening economic crises, make us pause ruefully and truly appreciate the delicate, yet perilous, nature of life.

We are constantly reminded that the environment, humankind and our lives are fragile.  The events that occur in nature directly affect us all and our own actions and decisions have powerful ramifications for ourselves and others.  All this reflection, with spiritual solace, makes us more aware of how precious the gift of life is, how truly priceless each day is and the need to protect both the environment and humankind for universal redemption.

During these holy days, we are reminded that there is one universal and timeless action that affected all of nature and humankind: the selfless sacrificial love of Christ, offered for all, through His crucifixion and Resurrection.  This one act of immeasurable love redeemed all of nature and humankind.  All things were transfigured; all things were made anew and recreated by the love of God that shined forth from the empty tomb that first Paschal morning.  As we read in the Gospel according to Matthew (27:51) when the Lord Christ breathed His last on the Cross, “…the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.”  The love of God for all of creation penetrated the deepest parts of the earth and to the farthest reaches of the heavens.  It was the one act of love by the Saviour that redeemed all.

There is extensive suffering in our nation and throughout the world.  We are exhorted by the Lord to express our faith through daily actions inspired by unbounded agape to help change lives of the disenfranchised just as His act of love has changed us.  The faithful women of Philoptochos are blessed as they battle adversity and continually follow the example given to us by the Lord.  Believe in the power of the Resurrection and believe that our actions make a difference.

May we glorify the Lord Christ especially during this holy season by being charitable and offering hope to the physically and emotionally wounded, by participating individually and collectively in unity in the good works of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society and by glorifying His Resurrection by making better the lives of others.

With sisterly love and hope in the Resurrected Christ, 

Aphrodite Skeadas