I’m Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Copitc Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.
This season, between Resurrection and Pentecost, between the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the empowering of the church with the Holy Spirit, is within our church, a period of joy.
Our hymnology, our readings, our prayers: our focus is all joyful.
Of course, historically, we have a lot to be joyful about: the risen Lord who has empowered us all and given us life and salvation.
When we look at contemporary situations, however, the struggling communities, persecuted Christians - people who are paying a very dear price for their faith - we may think, “What are they Celebrating? What is it that they rejoice in?”
Well, the message is the same.
The persecution they face today is the persecution our Lord himself faced over 2,000 years ago.
The power that they have within them today is the same power give to the disciples and the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
And so, realistically, what they are experiencing today; what we experience even in our own daily struggles, is a joy that comes from knowing that carrying the cross only leads us to an empty tomb in the Resurrection.
It is a necessary, but a very important, part of our journey.
It is important because it gives us a focal point; it makes us realize that real joy comes in those things that we struggle for.
We want to pray these days.
Pray for our own communities here; pray for communities across Europe; pray for communities in the Middle East; communities around the world; individuals and those who continue to struggle, but those who with the knowledge of and faith in the risen Lord, can still have real joy, real hope, a real understanding that their journey may entail struggle, but will end with the joyful and glorious presence in the Kingdom that God has prepared for us all.
Lord, bless those who are in need of your support.
Guide those who are in need of your wisdom.
Empower those who are in need of your strength.
And above all, be light and joy to those who are in need of that reassurance on a daily basis.
In Glory be to God the Father,
Amen.