Prelate's 2011 Easter Message Who Will Roll the Stone? “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
(Mark 16:3) It
was the third day of the burial. In accordance with the Hebrew tradition, it
was necessary to anoint the body of the deceased with sweet-smelling oils.
Early in the morning three women went to the tomb that was dug in a rock with a
large and heavy stone placed at the entrance. The weak women had been asking
one another, “Who will roll away the stone placed at the entrance of the tomb?” Just
as Jesus’ birth was a series of miraculous events, so also was his death and
resurrection, which was victory over death. Christ’s resurrection is the basis
of our Christian faith, the power of our Christian life, and the hope of being
with Christ enjoying the kingdom of God. Without that “our preaching is in
vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:14), “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died” (1
Thessalonians 4:14), as affirmed by St. Paul. The life of a Christian is not a
series of days starting and ending in this world. But it is a divine grace and
gift which starts in this world by faithfulness to Jesus Christ through the implementation
of Gospel messages and Biblical principles—a good journey which finds its
complete meaning when we depart from this world and unite with Christ. This
kind of hope and faith is the assurance given to humankind by Christ’s resurrection—the
guarantee of a new life, everlasting life, in unity with our Lord Jesus Christ
which this world’s faithlessness, doubt and stone-heartedness toward each other
never understand. Evidently there is no one to roll away the stone from
humankind’s stone-heartedness, and human beings remain blind and indifferent
toward their fellow humans and remain heartless, deceitful, and greedy. Look
around and you will see the domination of power and materialism and the thirst
for money for which humans utilize every kind of evil and fraud. They become
blind in their eyes as well as in their souls and minds. They place their own
personal profit above all else. They agree with and exploit the lies in
political and social life; they are devoid of moral values and empathy and they
neglect the rights of the people. Tens of thousands of pages from Wikileaks are
testimony to the deceit, intrigue, and greed of the leaders of countries and
the lack of moral values in friendships. Countries in this situation, including
our own country—the United States of America—are frantic and angry that the lies
have become exposed, and they condemn the exposer in the name of national
security. Human beings who were created in the image of God should condemn all,
repent their sins, and welcome a world of righteousness and justice for all. Evil
prefers darkness and flees from light. Jesus very plainly and truthfully
proclaimed, “For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light,
so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to
the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in
God” (John 3:20-21). In
a world dominated by secularism and technology we have become doubtful of the
power that rolls the stone and performs miracles. We have become deaf to the
truth of the Gospel that turns stone-hearts into tender hearts. The only
miracle and power is Christ himself. Nations and individuals who emulate his words
and life have been illuminated and by surviving enjoy a resurrected life. Have
we not been educated throughout the history of the Armenian people with the
truth of the Gospel? Did we not become strengthened by the Gospel? Did we not
withstand perils and catastrophes? Were we not resurrected by national
martyrdom after the Genocide? (This year what a coincidence that Martyrs Day
and Easter coincide!). We believed that our Savior would roll the stone at the
entrance of our nation’s tomb, and we would come to light. That light became
the source of our truth, faith, and hopes that kept St. Gregory’s lantern lit,
kept the Mesrobian language alive, and became the music and melody of our hymns
and prayers. Our nation’s true riches and treasures have been our religion and
language, our faith and culture. Our nation’s joy and pride, and especially
survival, were secured on that foundation that is unshakeable and
indestructible. During
the year of 2011 we are going to joyously celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the re-independence of Armenia. Twenty years ago on a happy and fortunate
day, Armenia regained her independence, and heroic Artsakh earned her independence,
giving the children of our nation everywhere new life—the prospect of a
resurrected life. For 70 years we remained in a state of national and spiritual
devastation, in bondage for rights, always waiting for the re-appearance of the
person who would roll away the stone placed at the entrance of our tomb; that
person is none other than our own strong will, and faith in our spiritual and
national values. Our consistent effort proved that those who believed in
pursuing our national rights and religious freedom were not mistaken. The native
land had again found its master. “The
land recognizes its master,” Moushegh Kalshoyan would write. The
celebration of the 20th anniversary must remind all of us—leaders
and populace—that the owners of the land have the responsibility to govern
their native land, where there is the blood of martyrs and heroes, where there
is toil and sweat, church and prayer, culture and literature. Our resurrected
homeland is in need of strengthening; it longs for sacrifices for prosperity
and development that calls for martyrdom when necessary for a united homeland. There
is a large stone which must be rolled away in order to reach that good resurrection
that girds us to our faith, and calls us to be the forerunners in the growth of
our national and spiritual life. Christ
is risen from the dead. Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate
Armenian
Apostolic Church of America, Eastern Prelacy April 24, 2011
Holy
Easter Click here for the Armenian Version of the Prelate's 2011 Easter Message
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