April 2011 - Christ is Risen!

“Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!”

Dear Friends of the Fellowship of St. Silas,

We trust you experienced the beauty of the light in the empty tomb! I am reminded of the words in the Creed, that we recite during church, “And He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.” As St. Paul said “maranatha” meaning, come quickly Lord Jesus.

It is hard to imagine celebrating Pascha in prison. Processions are not allowed, midnight services are not tolerated. However, this has not stopped the beauty of the Resurrection which transcends earthly barriers.

At the beginning of Lent we sent out a booklet regarding the Lenten preparation for Pascha. I have enclosed part of a letter revealing how the Resurrection is not blocked by concrete walls and bars of metal.

“Thank you for sending me the booklet about fasting for Great Lent. Being bed-ridden, it is my intention this year to fully celebrate Pascha through the readings and through mental visualization the various steps of the ceremony.This year I hope to mentally and prayerfully celebrate Easter. Learning about Lent is important to be able to celebrate this correctly. I want to thank you for thinking of me and for offering your fellowship. Your letters and studies bring me joy and warmth.” (DJ of Utah)

With your prayers we try to give direction to those who live their life behind the walls of a prison. They too sing with us:

“Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”

May the beauty of heaven consume you!

Fr. David