unsplash/Joshua Eckstein

April 9, 2020

Dear sisters and brothers in the Crucified and Risen Lord,

As the days of celebrating Easter approach, we would like to convey to you thetraditional Christian greeting, which affirms the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from thedead and its powerful liberating message, bringing joy and hope to the world, overcoming fear and uncertainty -

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

This year, we observe Easter in a challenging context amid painful situations. The COVID19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world, is also affecting the way Easter will becelebrated. To protect our own lives and those of others, we cannot fill the streets with
processions, nor will churches resound with hymns and liturgies, expressing and sharingour Easter joy with one another. Instead, we will share the mystery of Easter and meetthe Risen Lord in our homes, behind closed doors. Many of our people are experiencing
fear and uncertainty, as well as trauma, separation, isolation, loss of members or evendeath in their families or in their church communities.

Yet, despite these traumatic and painful situations, the message of Easter continues tobe a joyful one of courage and hope.

The first experience of the disciples with the Risen Lord occurred in similarcircumstances. Out of fear and to protect their lives, Jesus’ disciples gathered in a room,behind closed doors. And there the Risen Christ came among them, bringing his peace.As they were startled and terrified, “He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened?... Seethat it is I myself.’” (Luke 24:37-39).

The Risen Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Easter is areminder and encouragement that God in Christ continues to love and care for thewhole world, overcoming death with life, conquering fear and uncertainty with hope.

To those who may be tempted to explain the present situation as an expression of God’spunishment and wrath, the Easter message conveys that our God is a loving God, thesource of life, not death, the God of life and love “For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may haveeternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, butin order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17).

Dear sisters and brothers, throughout the centuries, the Easter greeting ”Christ is risen!”has always infused Christians with the power and courage to confront death,destruction, oppression end enslavement, fear, doubt and uncertainty. As we areconfronted today with the challenges of COVID-19, we assure you that in these days weare united with you in prayers and in affirming together our common faith and hope inthe Risen Lord: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? Butthanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55,57).
Yours faithfully,

The Leadership of the Central Committee

Dr Agnes Abuom, Moderator

Metropolitan Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima, Vice-moderator

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Vice-moderator

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, Acting General Secretary

Source: WCC