Easter, 2022. Just seeing that fills the soul with joy and optimism.

Joy, because we are able to live these unique moments in history again. Divine and human moments, following Christ from Hosanna to betrayal to the Cross. And optimism, because we have the Resurrection of Christ, without which there would be nothing else.

The Resurrection of Christ strengthens our faith. It animates us. It calms us down. It alleviates our pain, knowing that despite a sky full of black clouds, the worst for generations, despite the diseases, poverty, war… in the background, there is the Resurrection.

Easter has been overshadowed for the last two years by the terrible plague of the coronavirus. Our lives have changed. Death changed them. Fear and isolation changed them. Our lives have taken such a heavy hit. Who expected it?

And yet, that’s where the miracle happened. The scientists, and especially the Greek scientists, succeeded in about a year and discovered the vaccine.

And so this Easter is different. It is almost free of the consequences and fear of the coronavirus.

But it is overshadowed by another scourge. As old as man – War. The war in Ukraine.

Who would have expected that after almost eighty years of peace in Europe such a thing would happen!

So this year, five million Ukrainians, according to the UN, will spend Easter in exile. Away from their homes. Their families. Their churches.

Instead of rejoicing, they will be mourning their dead. For the huge and inconceivable destruction in their country.

So, while Easter of 2022 will remain in history as the Easter of our exit from the coronavirus, it will also be the Easter of the war in Ukraine, with its immeasurable destruction and its unknown end.

I wish you all a Blessed Resurrection. Happy Easter – and health and joy in your lives.