Posted on 03/23/2008 3:26:04 PM PDT by kronos77
BELGRADE -- The Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade, Stanislav Hočevar, has sent this year's Easter message.
He told Catholic worshipers in Serbia that Easter gives everyone a chance to change their lives from the foundations, and to become witnesses of a new, unsurpassed Christian culture and Christian civilization.
"To celebrate Easter means, first and foremost, to cross the bridge from the old to the new life, personal, and collective", the archbishop said.
"Dear brothers and sisters, there are days that deeply alter our lives. Those are great, happy and blessed days, filled with God's strength. The flame of the Holy Spirit then lights new hope in us. I wish that Easter, in the year of our Lord 2008, is one such day," Hočevar's message read.
The Belgrade archbishop will today serve the Easter Mass at the Krista Kralja church in the capital.
Aside from the large Catholic community, various Protestant denominations are also celebrating Easter in Serbia today.
Ailing Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch, His Holiness Pavle, also congratulated the greatest Christian holiday, which commemorates the resurrection of crucified Jesus Christ – an event central to Christian belief.
The patriarch sent his holiday good wishes to Archbishop Hochevar and all who celebrate Easter today.
"With his resurrection, the Lord has confirmed the most joyous truth about eternal life, lifting the curtain between this, and the other world. He has confirmed that his resurrection comes before our general resurrection, that will happen one day," the patriarch said.
The country's political leaders also congratulated the holiday earlier this week.
Happy Easter!
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A blessed Easter to all of you!
HAPPY EASTER
HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!
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