A New Birth into a Living Hope

For weeks now, Christians in every remote corner of the world have been awaiting the arrival of Easter Sunday. Throughout the Armenian Church, our faithful have prepared for Easter with great anticipation, from Holy Etchmiadzin, to St. Vartan Cathedral, to every local parish.

But wherever you are on that day, we all stand together as witnesses to the glory of our Lord’s Resurrection. On Easter Sunday we all proclaim with the apostle: “Glory to God—the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in His mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

So said the Apostle Peter—who was among the first to see, with his own eyes, the miracle of the first Easter Sunday. Who was among the first to know that history would never be the same again.

But my friends, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not simply an event in history. It is, in the deepest sense, the meaning of history—and of everything that we know as human beings.

Christ’s Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith: the beacon of hope that illuminates life in the darkest of times. It’s the divine assurance that there is always the promise of renewal and redemption—no matter what we face in this life.

When Peter spoke about “Living Hope,” he was speaking to the heart of the Easter message. Through the Resurrection, Jesus didn’t only defeat death; He opened the door for us to experience a relationship with God that’s marked by boundless hope and joy.

Think about it for a moment: The God who shaped the universe chose to step into our world. To walk in our shoes, bear our burdens, and ultimately conquer the grave. Why? Because of His boundless love for us. He saw us in our struggles, our pain, and our brokenness. And He said: “You are My creation; I love you; and I will never abandon you.”

He told us this not only in words, but in His deeds: through His incarnation as Jesus, and His supreme act of sacrifice on the Cross. In that way, He showed us a path to something greater, something eternal.

But for Christ, that path inevitably took Him through hardship. The same is true for us: we all know—we have all seen, this very year—how hard life can be. We all face trials that will shake our faith—whether as individuals, as families, or indeed as a people.

Yet against every hardship and fear stands the incredible message of Easter: that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and at work in each of us, every day.

When you’re struggling with your job; when you’re facing challenges in your relationships; when you’re battling illness or despair—at every low and high point in life, the power of Christ’s resurrection is a constant source of strength, hope, and new beginnings.

The real question every human being must face is whether or not to accept the power of the Resurrection, by accepting Christ’s sacrifice.

If you do choose to accept it, your perspective will radically change. You can never again have reason to feel discouraged or hopeless; for you will know that Christ is truly Risen. He has defeated evil, and overcome sin. He has annihilated Death itself! And thus, He has given you new, everlasting life: a Living Hope.

This Living Hope isn’t meant to be a well-kept secret; it’s meant to be shared, celebrated, and proclaimed out loud. It’s a joy that radiates from within, bringing light and warmth to the coldest hearts. It’s the joy of knowing that, no matter what happens in life, we have a God who loves us: relentlessly, passionately, eternally.

So as we celebrate this Easter, let us embrace the Living Hope that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. Let us remember that the empty tomb of Easter is not something to celebrate just one day a year, but is an everlasting testament to God’s victory over sin and death that transforms every day, in every year.

“Glory to God—the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; who in His great mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Christ from the dead.”

May this truth fill your hearts with joy. And may the world see in us the Living Hope of Christ’s Resurrection: a Hope that cannot be quenched; a Love that cannot be contained; and a Life that is truly worth living. For truly:

Christ is raised from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ!
Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh haroutiunun Krisdosi!

Prayerfully,

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
Primate

Easter 2024