FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PATRIARCH AND PRESIDING PRELATE

His All Holiness Sir Dr. Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson

What is Easter Sunday – Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Today I greet my Anointed Archbishop and Apostolic Head, The Anointed Queen Abbess and Cardinal in New York, Senior Abbess in Trinidad my other ministers’ friends and well-wishers of the Mystical Order and to our Matriarch (ELECT). I am happy and privileged to be alive and on the land of the living to join with you and offer up our praise and thanks.

I want to greet my beloved Bishop Andres who will be celebrating his service thanksgiving today in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You my beloved brother has chosen a time when Christians all over the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. I can only hope that in our hearts we make that hope come alive.

I want to talk to you from the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verses 17 to 19

“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which have fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If, in this life only, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Cor. 15:17-19)

All of Christianity is hinged on a single event. No other topic has intrigued or disturbed people more. Some deny it, explaining with fervency that it was impossible. But those who believe in its power are given hope and life. This event is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions of the world. No other human was ever raised from the dead and still lives today, except the Son of God, Jesus Christ. His resurrection is a pivotal truth at the very heart of the entire message of redemption and salvation. Bless the Lord for us being a part of this great truth. We were not present in that time, but we are living witnesses of this great truth.

The Resurrection goes beyond a paranormal event in history. Its purpose was to redeem man, but it was also used to confound the minds of the Roman soldiers who had witnessed that Jesus was dead before his body was taken down from the cross. It was to stir up fear and fury among religious leaders who blamed his missing body on the disciples in order to cover up their evil unbelief. It was to humiliate those responsible for sealing up the tomb, thinking it would prevent his escape. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was intended to divide those who opposed its miracle from those who desired and desperately needed the restoration it promised.

Not much has been written of Thomas in Scriptures, other than reports of his apparent lack of faith, and of the day when he was changed forever. Jesus appeared to Thomas in His resurrected body and allowed the doubting disciple to touch His hands and side. This provided Thomas with the revelation that Jesus was who He said He was, and it proved that He had raised from the dead.

Peter was the first to enter Jesus’ tomb and see the empty grave clothes. Peter had suffered bitter grief when he denied he knew Jesus on the night of His arrest. After Jesus’ death, Peter may have felt there was no hope for him, or for reconciliation with Jesus. Just like many who are reading this message today. Many of us need a physical confirmation even today. But I have good news for you that we are living in faith. The doubts and fears we had in our lives are evident today of the restoration. Our faith is more alive and in this Mystical Order which I proudly lead alongside my beloved Archbishop.  At first, the empty tomb had confirmed his worst fears. But Peter’s faith was transformed when he was lovingly restored back into fellowship following a face-to-face encounter with the resurrected Christ.

The many women who had followed Jesus throughout his ministry had stood shocked and grieved at the foot of the cross. Yet they were the ones to whom the angels said, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” Matthew 28:6. Among them, Mary Magdalene was the first to speak to the risen Lord that she had so faithfully served. Mary stood weeping at the entrance to the tomb until Jesus himself appeared to her. With joy and excitement she ran to tell the disciples what she had witnessed. And so, in this Mystical order our beloved Queen Abbess Dr. Patricia, Abbess Marcia-Ann, Abbess Ursula Lawrence, Abbess Marcia Noel, Abbess Lynette and the Abbess Mother Lystra along with our Reverend Brenda, Reverend Julia faithful believers to this ministry and not forgetting our Matriarch Elect Janet. All hail to you women behold your son writing to you. As I listened in the spirit I can hear the voice of the women “Patriarch behold thy mother.”

The resurrection continues to be an anchor of hope for Christians today. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, the price for sins has been paid in full. But as a result of His resurrection, the power of death and the grave have been conquered. The same restoration that was provided for those who witnessed his resurrection is the same restoration available for those who continue to believe in its power today.

My beloved brothers and sisters of this Mystical Order I pray that God will restore to you the joy you once had and cause an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in double portions. Restore the smiles when the name of a member is mentioned. That this day the Lord will restore us into our rightful place and help us to stay in our lanes.

I will at all times be your Leader and serve you to the best of my ability is Spirit and in Truth

Your servant in Christ Jesus,