The following reflection is written by Deacon Nicholas Denysenko, PhD. Deacon Nicholas is a professor of theology and holder of the Jochum Chair at Valparaiso University (IN). He is a greater thinker and preacher. Here is a key for our reflection at Easter (Pascha).

Of all the religious observances that belong to the people, Orthodox Easter is among the greatest. People spend hours on their feet, kneading, baking, preparing foods, both savory and sweet. They perfect their grooming, wearing their finest clothes for the occasion.

For many, Orthodox Easter is pure joy. Laughing, sharing stories, playing games, and hanging out with your loved ones. Breathing the fresh air together, lighting candles, and singing. It is joy for one simple reason: God has made all things well. God has opened the doors to us and said, come home. God has set a table with the finest foods, has appointed musicians to play the loveliest music.

There is no end time to the party. It’s like being separated from your beloved family for a long time. You don’t want to let go when you hug them.

God embraces us tightly because we are home. God has given us the most precious gift – amnesty, freedom from our alienation from him. Jesus destroyed Hades and the cherubim withdrew the sword separating us from paradise. There is NO better news. We will be with God forever.

How do you prepare for the most joyful event?

You dress your best. You sing, You laugh. You make your favorite foods. That’s Pascha.

This gift of amnesty to alienated humanity is God’s alone to give. God reaches out and says, “you are my people.” Everyone who accepts that invitation is free. They’re subordinate to no one, no government, no ruler. They’re free.

Vladimir Putin’s narcissism and hatred for Ukrainians is well known. He is trying to subordinate them through fear, to make them HIS own. Sadly, some bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church are supporting him in this blasphemous act. Thankfully, there are always some in the world who stand up to bullies instead of paying their tax.

For all of Putin’s crimes, the worst is that he is trying to steal God’s gift of freedom to the people and possess it himself. The Ukrainians will fight Putin and his cronies to the end and beyond. We mourn the dead. In death, they have defeated Putin – because they remain free, and they refused to sell God’s gift to the impostor. They will always be God’s people, never Putin’s – because Christ has shown us that death has become nothing more than a passage to new, eternal life with God.

The living have purpose. Their lives of the present are meaningful. In spite of threats and bombs – not only in Ukraine, but throughout the world, too – Christians will continue to gather on this feast of feasts and holy days of holy days to perform the most important liturgical act of all – to receive God’s gift of freedom and amnesty, of restoration and return to Paradise, with joy and thanksgiving. Yes, receiving God’s gift is the true Paschal liturgy.

On this day of Orthodox Easter – no matter what happens – the tyrant trying to steal from God is overthrown. God’s people are free. And God’s gift to us tells us everything we need to know about this God – God sets us free and receives us completely because God is love. Love does not intimidate or compel. Love does not possess and bear false witness. Love does not bomb innocents and rape their women. The one who loves accepts and embraces you AS YOU ARE.

Thank you, God, for your love. Give us strength and meekness to love the least of your brothers and sisters as you have loved us.