On that Resurrection morning, while it was still dark, this was the question and the problem that perplexed those myrrh-bearing women disciples of the Lord. We know that the stone was "very large" and cumbersome according to the Gospel account. From historical and cultural knowledge of the times, we know that it was a massive stone disk that was rolled into a groove in the ground before the entrance of the tomb. Once it was set in place, it was not meant to be moved. It certainly could not be rolled up and out of that groove easily. It would take several strong men to accomplish the task. How then could this small group of fragile, tired, and aging women do it? They were worn out from the tragic events of the past few days and were still in the throes of grief at the death of their Master and their Friend. And now they were even more troubled and plagued by the thought that they might not be able to complete the traditional burial ritual of their people upon their beloved Lord. The stone barred their way! You can imagine, then, what joy and excitement filled their hearts and minds as they approached the tomb, looked up, and found the stone ALREADY rolled back. And then news rang out in their ears, "He is not here; He is risen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay!" (Matthew 28:6) Read more...

I am pleased to announce the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Font on Friday, April 13th. Resurrection Matins will be served at 9 am at the Sts. Cyril and Methodios Camp Church, with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10 am, with a procession around the church. A paschal meal will be served in the Dining Hall afterwards. I heartily encourage clergy and faithful to attend, especially those who are in the vicinity of Camp Nazareth. I mean this celebration of Bright Friday at Camp Nazareth to be an annual event, so I expect your best effort to attend, and to encourage your parishioners to participate as well. Read more...

On March 9, the Discovery Channel will air a program entitled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus." The program was produced by Simcha Jacobovici and "Titanic" director James Cameron. Mr. Cameron, you might remember, was the one who shouted "I'm the King of the World" when he received an Academy Award for his production about the sinking of the White Star liner. Read more...

I write to you on the threshold of the Great Fast, our annual forty-day journey to the great and happy Day of the Paschal Victory of Jesus Christ. I write to you out of my profound desire that you and I, in the Paschal Celebration, may enter into the joy of the Angels on that day. And so I take this opportunity to meditate on the way of joy, and the path to the Paschal sunshine. I offer you my dearest invitation to walk with me in the only narrow way through the wilderness and the mountains, through the valley of shadows, and finally to the Rising of the Sun. Read more...

Your holy Eminence of Amissos, spiritual brother in the Holy Spirit and concelebrant NICHOLAS, grace to Your holy sacredness and peace from God. It is with great interest and anticipation that we received the reports of the proceedings conducted at the recent Clergy-Laity Sobor of the beloved Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of America which was held in Greenwich, Connecticut. We carefully reviewed the reports and essays as submitted by the official representative of the Mother Church and Exarch, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Read more...