Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Holy Martyrs, those who throughout the centuries have given their lives rather than deny their faith in Jesus Christ, are highly venerated in the Orthodox Church.  In honoring them, we should recall that the word “martyr” literally means “witness.”   While not everyone who follows Christ is called to die as a martyr for the Faith, the Risen Lord calls all His disciples to be witnesses to His Resurrection to the “ends of the universe.” In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, the Lord tells His disciples: "...then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world" (Acts 1:8). It would be a good thing for us to learn a little more about this commandment.

As a rule in order for someone to become a witness he must be an eye witness of the events to which he is testifying--or, at least, to have in his hands unshakable evidence. This is why the command of the Lord had as its first receivers the Apostles who witnessed  the events of the Passion first hand and had seen with their own eyes the Risen Christ. They touched Him, they spoke with Him, ate with Him, and walked with Him. For them the Resurrection was a marvelous event, yet at the same time it was something they knew to be sure and true. For this reason they preached the Resurrection to all the world.

Today this command of Christ is addressed directly to us. Like the first disciples, we are called proclaim the Resurrection everywhere.  But we might ask how this is possible when we have not seen with our own eyes that which we are asked to witness to.  At first glance this objection might seem logical, but it isn't—and here's why. The way one receives knowledge about something does not influence the quality of the                  

knowledge. There are times when we are less sure if we saw someone with our own eyes, than if we were reassured of that person's presence by others in whom we have total confidence.

Certainly, St. Paul was neither an eye witness to the events of the Resurrection, yet no one spoke with more conviction about the Resurrection than did he—nor with more success. All this was possible because he came to know the Risen Christ in his life. This same approach can be taken by us.

Even though we are separated from the Resurrection of Christ by almost two millennia, we can all become witnesses to it because it is beyond time and therefore not limited by history and historical memory. Human logic takes a back seat, because, "God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God." For us the Resurrection is alive and here and now; it is a daily presence in our lives. We see it, we live it. It matters not at all whether we were alive in 33 A.D. or not. What matters is that we live in Christ, that the Risen Christ makes His presence "touchable" inside us. He speaks with us, He fills our lives and keeps us company.

For those who believe—for us—the Resurrection is not merely a wonderful, miraculous, and historical event.  Rather, it is a part of our lives. Christ is not a distant God, but is present to us here and now.  We know it to be so and hold the evidence in our minds, hearts, and souls. In this way we become His witness any hour, any day.... and in any place.

It is my prayer that the joyous forty-day celebration of the Lord’s Bright and Glorious Pascha will enable each one of us to truly be His witnesses and to proclaim the Good News of His Victory over sin and death.

With love in the Risen Lord,

Father David