“Christ is Risen” celebrated with splendor across the country: Ieronymos’ message of hope and peace
Crowds of faithful gathered in churches for the Resurrection – The Holy Light arrived from Jerusalem despite difficulties due to the war in the Middle East
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In an atmosphere of reverence, the Resurrection Service was held throughout Greece, with thousands of believers gathering in churches to chant “Christ is Risen.”
At the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the ceremony took place presided over by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. Earlier, the Holy Light had arrived from Jerusalem despite the challenges caused by the war in the Middle East.
The Holy Light arrived in Athens despite difficulties
Shortly after 19:30, the Holy Light arrived in Athens from Jerusalem, despite the obstacles caused by the situation in the Middle East and Israel. This followed a solemn doxology at the Dependency of the Holy Sepulchre in the Plaka area, where many faithful gathered to receive the Holy Light and take it to their homes.
“The Holy Light is in Greece. We had committed that, despite the difficulties, we would bring it—and we did!” said Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Loverdos, visibly moved after its arrival.
The Resurrection Divine Liturgy in Athens
Presided over by Archbishop Ieronymos, the Resurrection Service, Matins, and Divine Liturgy were celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral in a devout atmosphere.
He was accompanied by Bishops Chrysostomos of Evripos and Theologos of Talantio.
Among those present were the Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, Deputy Interior Minister Vasilis Spanakis representing the government, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, along with representatives of local authorities, security forces, the armed forces, church services, academics, and many faithful.
The Resurrection message of Archbishop Ieronymos was read by Father Thomas Synodinos.
Ieronymos’ message of hope in an uncertain world
On the occasion of Easter 2026, Archbishop Ieronymos referred to the challenges of the times, noting that people experience deep insecurity and uncertainty due to wars, conflicts, and threats.
“Anxiety about the future often becomes a silent cry within human existence… In this reality, people once again seek points of orientation; something stable, something true, something that gives meaning and hope. And it is precisely here that symbols return—not as mere forms or historical remnants, but as living testimonies of meaning and life.”
He emphasized that symbols are not closed in themselves but point beyond the visible, connecting the present with memory and supporting humanity’s path toward the future.
“A symbol is never closed in on itself; it always points beyond what is visible. It connects the present with the depth of memory and supports the human journey toward the future. But when it is cut off from the truth it carries, when it is used as a weapon or a means of imposition, it loses its power and becomes distorted.”
The Cross and Resurrection as a message of reconciliation
Archbishop Ieronymos stressed that for the Church, symbols are not ideological emblems but bearers of life.
“The deeper meaning of the Cross is not power, but its sacrificial love. That is why the Cross, the Holy Light, and the Resurrection do not impose—they invite. They do not divide, but open a path to communion.”
Addressing those who feel fear and uncertainty, he underlined that faith offers hope and stability:
“Evil does not have the final word, violence cannot abolish love, no conflict can extinguish the Light that rises from the Tomb or overshadow the Resurrection of Christ. True human security rests on the certainty that God remains present in history.”
He concluded by calling on the faithful to safeguard symbols of faith as bridges of hope and reconciliation:
“We must preserve our symbols as bridges of hope, meaning, and reconciliation, becoming ourselves bearers of light and peace—the Resurrection—wherever we are,” wishing that “the grace of the Risen Lord may strengthen your hearts, dispel fear, and grant peace to the world and to each of us.”
Konstantinos Tasoulas: “The Resurrection is a passage from darkness to light”
The President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, accompanied by his wife Fani Stathopoulou and their daughter Magda, attended the Resurrection Service at the Church of St. John in Poseidonia, Syros.
In his statement, he said:
“Easter means passage. And today we celebrate exactly that: the passage from death to life, from darkness to light, from despair and mourning to joy.
In a world that is uncertain and threatening, the message and feeling of the Lord’s Resurrection is liberating!
At such a moment, when ‘Christ is Risen’ is joyfully heard throughout Greece and Hellenism, we wish that the victory of life and hope over death may also become a victory of peace, reconciliation, and prosperity in today’s troubled world.”
The Resurrection of the Lord was also celebrated with great splendor in Thessaloniki, with thousands of faithful filling the city’s churches to honor the greatest feast of Orthodoxy.
In every neighborhood, churches were packed with people of all ages holding candles, welcoming the Holy Light, which arrived from Jerusalem via a special flight to Athens and then, shortly after 21:00, to Macedonia Airport, where many had gathered to receive it first.
At the call “Come receive the light,” flames spread from candle to candle, illuminating the faces of the faithful and conveying the message of life’s victory over death. Exactly at midnight, church bells rang joyfully and “Christ is Risen” echoed throughout the city, accompanied by embraces, kisses, exchanged wishes, and the traditional cracking of red eggs.
