Christ is Risen!

We are happy this year to honor all Christian women on the same Sunday, the Sunday dedicated to myrrh-bearing women, but also to celebrate Mother’s Day according to the American tradition. It is a happy coincidence that gives us the opportunity to meditate on the mission of our mothers, grandmothers and sisters, as well as to honor them.

The Myrrh-Bearing Women faithfully followed Christ until His passion, and on the morning of the Resurrection they came to perform the ritual of anointing the body of the dead. Their faithfulness was put to the test, for they were wondering, “Who will roll the stone from us from the door of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3). They did not stop and were not afraid, as the Apostles who were hidden from fear of the Jews. They believed that someone would roll the stone at the door of the tomb. This was accomplished, and furthermore, instead of finding the dead body, they received the news of the Resurrection from the angel and the assurance meant for the Apostles that they would meet Him in Galilee.

St. John Chrysostom calls these women the apostles of the Apostles because they were the ones who proclaimed the Resurrection to the Apostles. For their love, faithfulness, and courage, they were made worthy of this meeting and to hear the words of the Risen Christ: “Rejoice and be not afraid” (Matthew 28:9-10). The meeting with their Resurrected Master was certainly a unique experience, it was an experience full of emotion and joy. Their joy being about meeting their Master, but it was especially about their Master being the God who overcame death. This joy was proclaimed by the Myrrh-Bearing Women, who went forth to proclaim to the Apostles, and then to all the world.

On this day with a double significance, it is meet to honor all Christian women, those who show, like the Myrrh-Bearing Women, love and faith in the Risen Christ, but also the love and faith that they offer to the family and society. On this Sunday, we honor all our mothers, grandmothers, and sisters for their love and faith in the Risen Christ and for the fact that they taught us the Christian faith and gave us an example of Christian living through their sacrifice out of love for their family and neighbors. On this day we also honor those Christian women who have dedicated their lives to the ministry of Christ as nuns in monasteries, praying for those who have many responsibilities in the family. Likewise, we honor all the educators, the teachers who take care of our children and all the medical staff who spend time in hospitals and nursing homes and who show their love and sacrifice towards all those who are suffering.

Today, we express our love and gratitude toward all Christian women, and we assure them of our prayers for health, peace, and joy!

Truly He is Risen!

† Metropolitan Nicolae