The Resurrection of Christ is the victory of life over death and the hope for the salvation of man. This was stated by the Western and Central European Metropolitan Anthony in the program “Why“, emphasizing that this day should not be reduced only to eggs and kozunaks, but to faith, self-sacrifice and the restored connection between God and man.
In his words, it is the Resurrection that stands at the center of the life of every Orthodox Christian. He reminded that Christ came to earth to show people the perfect path, and through his voluntary sacrifice and his Resurrection he gave again the opportunity for eternal life. According to Metropolitan Anthony, the Church continues to preach this message today, although in the material world people often remain blind to the spiritual.
In the conversation, the Metropolitan also touched on the Holy Fire, which he has brought from Jerusalem more than once. He described the experience as a miracle that cannot be described in words, but only felt with the heart. In his words, this is a testimony that God is with people and will be with them forever.
When asked about the skeptics and disputes surrounding the nature of the Holy Fire, Metropolitan Anthony stated that in the first minutes it is a light that subsequently turns into fire, and pointed out that thousands of people witness this miracle every year at the Holy Sepulcher. According to him, many have seen how in the first minutes people hold their hands and faces above the flame without suffering.
Commenting on the trials facing the modern world - from the pandemic to the war in the Middle East, Metropolitan Anthony emphasized that the Church responds with an even greater prayer for peace. According to him, today evil is increasingly presented as good, and this leads to conflicts, division and suffering.
Therefore, according to him, society must return to eternal values - love, humility, goodness and empathy for those who suffer.
Metropolitan Anthony also touched on the topic of aggression in Bulgarian schools, expressing hope that the subject “Virtues and Religions“ will be introduced as soon as possible. According to him, children must be taught to distinguish good from evil, and the Church can be a mediator in this process. According to him, the proposed concept allows students to choose between Christianity, Islam and ethics, without leading to division.
The Metropolitan also spoke about the Bulgarian communities in Western and Central Europe, which his diocese covers - from Budapest to Lisbon. He emphasized that for our compatriots abroad, Easter is experienced with the same joy, but also with a special nostalgia for the homeland.
According to him, it is the church communities that remain a place that brings Bulgarians together in peace, love and understanding.