2024 Easter Message from the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem - Easter Message 2024 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer hasdominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all;but the life he lives, he lives to God. (Romans 6:9-10) We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, while observing two distant dates ofcommemoration this year, nevertheless join together in unity to proclaim to the world the GoodNews of Christ’s Resurrection, first announced by angels nearly two millennia ago at the emptytomb here in the Holy City of Jerusalem.This hopeful Easter message not only confirms Christ’s triumph over sin and death, but alsopromises salvation to those who come to our Lord in faith with penitent hearts. As the ApostlePaul wrote, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too mightwalk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainlybe united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:4b-5).In issuing this Easter proclamation, we fully recognize the intense suffering that surrounds ushere in the Holy Land, as well as in many other parts of the world. Speaking more directly to ourown circumstances, we repeat our denunciation of all violent actions in the present devastatingwar, especially those directed against innocent civilians, and we reiterate our call for animmediate and sustained ceasefire.In concert with these, we renew our plea for the speedy distribution of humanitarian aid; therelease of all captives; the unimpeded access of fully-equipped doctors and medical staff to tendthe sick and injured; and the opening of internationally facilitated negotiations aimed at endingand moving beyond the present cycle of violence. Only in this way, we believe, can acomprehensive solution be finally advanced for a just and lasting peace here in the land whereour Lord sacrificed his life, breaking down the dividing wall of enmity, in order to offer the worldthe hope for reconciliation (Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20).While extending this Easter message to Christians and others around the world, we offer ourspecial greetings to those of the faithful in Gaza who have been bearing especially heavy crossesover the past several months. These include those taking refuge inside St. Porphyrios and HolyFamily Churches, as well as the courageous staff and volunteers of the Anglican-run AhliHospital, along with the patients they serve.To them and to all who look to Christ’s Resurrection in faith, even in the midst of the presentdarkness, let us affirm with St. Paul this hopeful acclamation: “For I am convinced that neitherdeath, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, norheight, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love ofGod in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).It is in this confident spirit, that, whatever our circumstances, we can join with each other inrepeating the ancient and joyous Easter greeting that continues to echo across the ages: “Christ isRisen! (Al Maseeh Qam! Christos Anesti! Christos haryav i merelotz! Pikhirstos aftonf! Christest Ressuscité! Cristo è risorto! Christus resurrexit! Meshiha qam! Christos t'ensah em' muhtan!Christus ist auferstanden!) He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!”—The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem Manage Cookie Preferences