“The celebration of Easter is a favorable moment for welcoming Jesus Christ, the Death Conqueror. The Easter joy resides namely in the meeting of each of us with Christ the Resurrected. This is how the Bible teaches us,” His Holiness Vladimir, the Metropolitan Bishop of Chisinau and All Moldova, says in a pastoral message ahead of Easter, IPN reports.

The Metropolitan Bishop said that during these difficult times marked by challenges and scourges, each person apart and humanity in general wait for good news. The news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most awaited news for the faithful, which hasn’t lost or diminished its meaning through the tragic history of centuries. On the contrary, it is updated and reaffirmed as bringing new hope and courage for the Christians at any time, as it did for the first disciples and apostles. The Easter news comes as God’s response to our hope”.

According to His Holiness Vladimir, Jesus Christ the Resurrected is always present and his life is spiritual food that gives energy to those who believe in him and in his return to life. “Let Easter bring light and joy, peace and reconciliation all over humanity as they are so necessary and expected by our distressed Orthodox people,” runs the message.

The Metropolitan Bishop calls on the clergy and all the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Moldova to permanently attend the Easter Liturgy in their communities and to take communion as no one should be sad and alone on Resurrection Sunday.

For the 20th consecutive time, the Holy Fire will be brought to the Republic of Moldova from Jerusalem. The Holy Light will be fetched by a Tel Aviv – Chisinau charter flight that will land at the Chisinau International Airport at 6:30pm on Saturday. The Holy Fore will be taken by His Holiness Vladimir to the Metropolitan Cathedral “God’s Birth” in Chisinau at about 7:30pm and will be then given to priests and parishioners who will spread it all over the country.