Ecumenical Patriarch Issues 2026 Paschal Message
Patr. Bartholomew proclaims Resurrection as a call to peace, love, and renewed life.
CONSTANTINOPLE — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered his Paschal encyclical for 2026, proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ as the ultimate victory of life over death and a source of freedom, renewal, and hope for all humanity.
Addressing hierarchs and faithful worldwide, the Patriarch emphasized that the Resurrection is not only a historical event but a lived reality within the Church's liturgical life, witness, and service. He underscored that authentic Christian faith must be expressed through love, sacrifice, and solidarity, rejecting claims that such virtues reflect weakness. Instead, he described them as marks of courage and spiritual authenticity rooted in divine grace.
Turning to contemporary challenges, Patr. Bartholomew condemned war, violence, and injustice, calling them incompatible with the Gospel. He encouraged prayers for victims of conflict and reaffirmed the Church's mission to promote peace, reconciliation, and respect for every human person, highlighting the enduring message: “Christ is Risen” as a call to life and unity.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Ukrainian archbishop visited the Ecumenical Patriarch en route to Germany.
