樞機主教及主教們的見證

 Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles
        Fr. Lars Messerschmidt
        "The Situation has been modified," says Pope Benedict
    The Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II
    Cardinal Franjo Kuharic
    Cardinal Napier, Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa
    Cardinal Sfeir
    Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi
    Arcbishop Vincent Concessao, Arcbishop of New Delhi
    Archbishop Frane Franic
    Archbishop David Sahagian
    Archbishop Seraphim
    Bishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto
    Archbishop Jeremiah, Ukranian Orthodox Church in South America
    The Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem
    Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson
    Bishop Theofylaktos Welcome Address 
    Bishop Georges Kahhale
    The Rev'd Canon Dr Gavin Ashenden
    Fr. Ion Bria prof. of Orthodox Theology
    Pope John Paul II

教宗若望保祿一九九六年八月十一日，唸完三鐘經後，向群眾訓導說天主教徒與東正教徒要盡快修和。在場被邀請參加聽他的講座中有一團「主內真生命」同禱會。當 教宗向群眾賜予宗徒祝福時，他特別指出這團體﹕「我熱烈歡迎在場說西班牙語的人們，尤其是「主內真生命」的靈修團體。」（羅馬觀察報）

南斯拉夫主教團法蘭峙總主教﹕
「我在天主面前聲明，麗敦夫人應得到的，不是譴責，而是表揚，因為書內所載的，均是真實和正確的信仰…我已很小心的閱讀了『主內真生命』，一點錯誤的道理也找不到。」

瑞士聖方濟會士律志神父﹕
 「華蘇拉以心靈的眼睛看見和接領天主聖父、聖子、聖神和聖母的訊息。她的經驗，跟救恩史內無數其他人的經驗唯一的不同處只是在於她接領啟示的方式。實際上，聖經裡充滿了天主聖父、耶穌和其他人向活在世上的人發出的訊息。在聖經時代之後這情況當然還繼續著。
聖經絕不可謂是啟示的終止，卻是鑑定每啟示真假的準繩。真實的啟示並不取代聖經的啟示，反而充實和啟發我們對聖經的理解。真實的啟示增加我們對聖經的認識，把聖經的啟示應用於我們的時代。」

奧威拉美歷根神父﹕ 
「華蘇拉麗敦已會見過世界各地很多主教了，他們都和藹地歡迎她。她的作品啟發了成千成萬的人民。這種神靈上的影嚮力，若論這些寫作沒有超自然的本質，根本是解釋不到的。」

納琵爾樞機主教

這是納琵爾樞機主教（Wildrid Napier）關於華蘇拉麗敦女士的信息。華蘇拉最近拜訪了南非德班(Durban)，並在市政府大廳對廣大的信友發表談話。樞機主教的信息刊登在德班總教區2009年6月第464期的通訊裡。

有關華蘇拉的最近消息

 
納琵爾樞機主教與華蘇拉
 

五月份時，華蘇拉麗敦女士拜訪了我們的國家，並在德班向一些信友團體發表談話。由於下列幾個被問及的關於她個人的問題：她是否真的領受啟示？她是以一個東正 教徒的身分來寫作嗎？對於天主教會和她自出生便加入的希臘東正教會，她的立場各是如何？我邀請她至公署餐敘。在對談中，我們清楚的知道，她的呼召──作為被耶穌使用的發言人，是在很不尋常的情況下發生的，然而更引人關注的是她和天主教會之間的關係。1995年，羅馬教廷對於華蘇拉出版的啟示之真實性，持高度懷疑的態度，這表現在1995年10月25日 發表的關於華蘇拉麗敦女士之寫作的通告裡。 　
　

在一封2004年7月16日 的書信中，當時的信理部部長拉辛格樞機主教提到，應華蘇拉女士的要求，信理部曾作過徹底的調查。在調查和對話結束之後，麗敦女士在2002年4月4日 發表了一封書信。在裡面，對於她自己的婚姻情形，和前述之通告中有關她的寫作和參與聖事之異議，都提出了有用的澄清。 　
　

前信理部部長拉辛格樞機主教的書信中(2004年)，附有華蘇拉對信裡部所提問題之澄清與回答。當時的拉辛格樞機主教也說到，華蘇拉對信理部的問題，給了令人滿意的回答。 　　

很遺憾地，2007年Levada樞機主教的說法再度使事情混淆不清，他再次確認了1995年的通告，卻完全忽略2004年的聲明。
 

因此我熱切期待能有機會和她談談。整個過程中，讓我印象深刻的是，她全然的開放，尤其要她解釋發生在她身上的事情，或這事情到底為什麼會發生在她身上。她自己也很困惑為什麼會被召喚，事實上她當時對自己的希臘東正教信仰一點也不熱誠。 　　

另一個引人注意的問題是，她和羅馬教廷間的關係。她和梵諦岡很多的高層，關係融洽。 　　

因此，可以合理的斷定，就教會來說，華蘇拉一點都沒有威脅到天主教的信仰。透過她所傳達的訊息，確實和教會本身的呼召是一致的：悔改，並回到信仰的基礎，特別指一些基礎的祈禱，例如玫瑰經和其他一度在信友家庭和教區靈修生活中很平常的祈禱。 　　

一如其他類似的事件，教會還沒有宣布這些啟示是真實的，因為所宣稱的啟示還在進行中，就如默主哥耶的情況一樣。

 

納琵爾樞機主教、華蘇拉、瓦尼神父

Pope John Paul II

"May God bless her"
The following is an account of a private meeting with Pope John Paul II on February 14, 1998.

 
 The Pope can be seen reading Vassula's dedication, written on the first page of a volume of True Life in God messages.

Together with two friends, Anu and Abhay George, originating from Kerala in India, but presently living in Denmark, I, Niels Christian Hvidt, had the opportunity to participate in the mass of the Holy Father in his Private Chapel. It was the 10th of February 1998.

Ten priests were concelebrating with the Holy Father, and altogether we were a number of 23 lay-people present. After a very beautiful and austere mass the Holy Father received us in the Audience-Hall close to the Private Chapel, distributing Rosaries and blessing and greeting each of us. About five people had brought gifts to the Holy Father.

I had with me the 10th Volume of True Life in God in French. Some months before, Vassula had dedicated it to the Holy Father and given the book to me. Inside, on the first page it said:

Pour le Saint Pere Jean-Paul II.
Que Dieu vous benisse et vous protege,
Vassula

To the Holy Father John Paul II.
May God bless you and protect you,
Vassula.

When he came to me, I had the book in my hand. Having received the Rosary and kissed his hand, I said in German: "I have brought a very important book for you. It is the book of Vassula." The Holy Father, with interest replied "Ah! Vassula!" Also Mons. Stanislaw Dziwizs, for decades the personal Secretary of the Pope and three days before this audience appointed a bishop, with interest said: "Vassula!" Both clearly recognised her name.

I then went on to say: "She has dedicated it for you". With sincere and warm interest the Pope looked at the book, opened it and saw Vassula's greeting and then said "Gott segne sie": "May God bless her". He made the sign of the Cross over the book. Then he handed it on to Mons. Mietec, who collects the gifts, that the Holy Father may take a look at them after the audience.

Before he passed on to the next person of the group, I said to him: "We pray very much for you, Holy Father", to which he replied "Thank you!"

Niels Christian Hvidt

---

The following quote of Pope John Paul II, given at a special general audience at Castelgandolfo, is taken from the Spanish language edition of L'Osservatore Romano, dated the 16th August 1996.
(This Apostolic blessing came, of course, 9 months after the Notification)

"I cordially salute the persons of the Spanish language present here, especially the religious of the Congregation of 'Saint Teresa of Jesus' and THE SPIRITUAL GROUPS OF 'TRUE LIFE IN GOD'. I wish to all of them a spiritual summer which will help them to reaffirm their Christian promise so that their generous answer to God can be the witness to His love in the world. I give you, with affection and to your loved ones, the Apostolic blessing"

See a video of the above event HERE

 

Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo

Archbishop of Ranchi

Cardinal Toppo introduced Vassula when she came to speak in his Diocese back in Novermber of 2004. Below is an excerpt from his speech:

 
"The surprising thing is that Vassula did not have any catechetical instruction, leave alone theological training what so-ever and yet her charismatic teaching seems to be in conformity to Scripture, Tradition and the writings of Scholars and Saints... "

View the full report.

 

  Arcbishop Vincent Concessao, Arcbishop of New Delhi

Vassula spoke at St. Columbas School Ground in New Delhi in 2006. When she was finished, Archbishop Concessao, who was present during the talk, also spoke. The following is an excerpt from his comments.

"All that we have heard is what is written in the Bible, but this is in a very personal way and shows that the Lord continues to speak. He is wonderful in His ways - He is a God of surprises and we do not know who He will use to communicate His messages. There was a time when Vassula did not practice - the Church meant nothing to her. This is a tremendous source of hope for all of us. The Lord is concerned about us and accompanies us on our pilgrimage here on earth. She emphasized the place of love in our lives and the Lord’s desire that we are all united, and to be disunited is in itself a state of sin. In a few days we will be celebrating the Christian Unity octave. The theme is "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them". The gathering is taking place. There was a time when we were enemies to one another. There is a long way to go because Jesus prayed "may they be one" - that is the unity that the Father wants among us and, as Vassula said, "This unity of peace does not imply more expenditure - she managed to come with one ticket!! This is the kind of unity the Lord wants and I request all of you to pray for Christian unity. We do not know the way the Lord wants us to unite but the goal is clear - He wants one Church, one Shepherd.

Vassula, thank you. God bless you and your ministry."

Cardinal Napier

His Eminence, Wildrid Cardinal Napier of the the Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa

This is the message from His Eminence, Wildrid Cardinal Napier concerning Vassula Ryden, who visited Durban recently and presented a talk to many of the faithful at the City Hall. The message of the Cardinal was printed in the Catholic News Bulletin of the Archdiocese of Durban, June 2009, No.464. This is the official communication disseminated to the Parishes and Religious Communities in the Archdiocese of Durban.

"The Latest on Vassula Ryden"

In May Vassula Ryden visited our country including Durban where she spoke to a number of groups of the Faithful. Because some of the following questions were being asked about her - whether her "revelations" are regarded as genuine, whether she is orthodox in her writings and what her standing is vis a vis the Catholic Church as well as the Church of her birth, the Greek Orthodox, I invited her to the Chancery for a conversation over lunch. Our conversation made it clear that her calling, to be a mouth-piece whom Jesus Christ is using, took place in extraordinary circumstances. But what is even more challenging is her relationship with the Catholic Church. In 1995 the Holy See made it known that it had serious doubts about the authenticity or genuineness of the revelations published by Vassula. These doubts were expressed in a Notification on the writings of Vassula Ryden published on 25th October 1995.

In a letter dated 16th July 2004 Cardinal Ratzinger, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explains that in response to a request by Vassula the Congregation had made a thorough investigation. At the conclusion of the dialogue that followed, in a letter published on 4th April, Mrs Ryden supplied useful clarifications regarding her marital status, as well as difficulties raised by the Holy See in the aforementioned Notification regarding her writings and her participation in the Sacraments.

Attached to Cardinal Ratzinger’s letter were the answers to all the questions put to her by the Congregation. He went on to state that Vassula had answered satisfactorily the questions which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had put to her.

Sadly the matter has been confused anew by Cardinal Levada’s 2007 statement, which reaffirms the 1995 notification, but totally ignores the 2004 statement.

It was therefore with keen interest that I awaited the opportunity to engage her in conversation. What struck me from the start, and what remains a lasting impression, is her total openness, especially when asked to explain what happened to her, or why it should have happened to her at all. She is just as puzzled why she should have been chosen since she had completely lapsed from the practice of her Greek Orthodox faith.

Another matter of interest is her relationship with the Holy See. She enjoys cordial relations with many of the top officials at the Vatican, who are anything but negative towards her.

It is therefore reasonable to state categorically that as far as the Church is concerned Vassula poses no threat to the Catholic Faith whatsoever. Indeed the messages which are communicated through her are consistent with the Church’s own call to repentance and a return to the basics of the faith, in particular the basic prayers such as the Rosary and other devotions once so common in the Catholic family and parish spiritual life.

As is customary in such cases, the Church has not declared the "Revelations" to be authentic, as they are claimed to be still occurring - a situation very similar to Medjugorje."

 

Cardinal Sfeir

His Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East addrsses TLIG Pilgrims

Cardinal Sfeir welcomes Vassula and TLIG Pilgrims, May 2005 (Click to enlarge)

We welcome you to Lebanon. The ecumenical movement is dear to the Universal Church, and you know that the Catholic Church has tried its best to achieve unity among Christians. The Catholic Church has a special commission headed by a Cardinal, and this Cardinal is striving to contact all factions of the Christian faith to seek the path of unity. You know well that the Maronite Church is a Catholic Church and has no equivalence in Orthodoxy. Since it's birth (the Maronite Church) was, and will stay, with God’s blessing as it is. The Maronites are scattered all over the world, especially in the Western World.

I believe that some of you have met Maronites in various countries, whether in Brazil, Australia, Canada, the United States or Venezuela. We are longing like you for this unity wanted by our Lord Jesus Christ when he said, "be one as I and You my Father are one". We know that Mrs. Vassula has come before to Lebanon and is seeking to achieve this unity. We know as well that she has presented her doctrine and thoughts to the Apostolic Chair who published some writings concerning this subject. We intend that our faith be one in Jesus Christ who is our Redeemer and Saviour. If there were disagreements that happened throughout history for whatever reasons and purposes, We ask God to forgive us all our offenses and to bring us back to unity. This unity is our testimony to those who do not believe in Christ, as any divisions among us cannot generate belief, which is exactly what Our Lord Jesus Christ already pointed out. We pray with you for the sake of this unity, may God fulfill it in the image and date he deems appropriate.

I ask God to open up the right paths for you and for us, so that we gain His approval, and so that we’re able to testify to the world a testimony of unity and not of divisions, as the world now is in dire need of this unity, especially that of the Christians. Thank you for coming to Lebanon. Lebanon is the land where Christians of all factions have gathered, and as you must know, there’s a total of 18 denominations. Yes, these denominations consist of 6 Catholic ones, 5 Orthodox ones, the rest being Muslim ones, as they also vary. As you know, Muslims are divided into Sunnite, Shiite, Druze and so forth. That is why Lebanon is considered the melting pot for all people. They know that they have to live with one another in mutual understanding, faith, and love, assisting each other with sincerity. We ask God to be with you, may He bless you and assist you in this endeavor toward the accomplishment of this Unity. Thank you.

 

The Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem

Bishop Riah came to London in Septemeber 2005 to accompany Vassula during her evangelisation meeting. This testimony is in reference to that.

The event in London was most encouraging. Vassula’s Testimony, the gracious way of sharing her life and experience with God and with the Lord Jesus Christ, was most inspiring. I continue to believe that the age of seeing visions is not over. Jesus in His Beatitudes did say that the pure in heart will see God. And as long as people have a pure heart, and a pure mind, God will open their eyes and they will see Him face to face - not as someone up there in heaven, but active in our midst, in our world. This is what True Life in God endeavors to present. I pray God’s blessing upon all who are committed to the cause of life which is Christ’s major concern for the human race. May God continue to bless Vassula and use her and her testimony to bring hope and promote the Gospel of Christ.

The Rev'd Canon Dr Gavin Ashenden (LL.B. B.A., M.Th, D.Phil) Senior Chaplain and Lecturer in the Psychology of Religion at the University of Sussex Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Chichester, Diocesan Advisor on New Age Religions, Member of the General Synod of the Church of England. A Personal Reflection from the True Life in God Ecumenical Pilgrimage 2007 Any pilgrimage takes place at several levels all at once; places, prayer, purgation and people, and so it was with this one. PLACES Perhaps this is the most immediately accessible aspect of a pilgrimage. One visits places that were important in the history and experience of the Church and the wider pilgrimage through time and space. Everyone's reflections on these will be different, but for each of us one or two of these places will have a special impact. It was captivating to see the tombs in Cappadocia, where Christians hid in times of trouble. The landscape was like nothing I have ever seen before. But what struck me most was the house of Mary in Ephesus. A number of people talked about the effect of this place. I did not know what I was looking for, although one of the ways in which the True Life in God messages have changed me is to open my eyes to the importance of Mary, our Lord's Mother. To go on pilgrimage is to know that one's views are going to evolve, be clarified and sometimes completely change. I had always known, as an Anglican, that She was important theologically. I had always treasured Her title of Theotokos. But it was other priests and people who talked about their closeness to Her rather than me. I was a little bemused by this, and thought that perhaps it was just part of the psychological profile; a way of interacting with the feminine perhaps. Then I found in the messages how vivid, alive, important and involved St Mary was. And I realised that it should no longer be a matter of personal preference, but should become something much stronger in my prayers and my relationship with the Lord. Her house and the place it was set added strongly to this developing awareness. There was a particular strength of colour in the place. The air was a little more luminescent, it seemed to me. The grass had a lusciousness that was out of the ordinary. It was fertile and rich and deep and vibrant. The Eucharist was particularly joyful. This was not a matter of group dynamics; it was entering into a deeper place in God, in a way that is simply given. That place gave it; which of course means our Lady gave it. The place does not provide exclusive closeness to our Lord and His Mother, but it shows to what depths we are being called. And perhaps by our prayers and attention, we ourselves can allow Her and our Lord to make the places we are set in wider and more luxuriant gateways into the Kingdom. Read more : http://www.tlig.org/en/testimonies/churchpos/gavin/

Archbishop David Sahagian

Dear Ms Ryden,

It is an occasion of great pleasure and personal satisfaction for us to recognize in you a new catalyst of spiritual rejuvenation who can talk to our present generation in a most persuasive language, through the books you are publishing. Your inspired mission of bringing the message of Christ to others is a source of profound joy to the Church. And your indefatigable zeal of drawing strength from and seeking regeneration and reinforcement in your Greek roots, should set an enviable example of dedicated fidelity, to our tortured youth.

In our days, at time when crass materialism has taken such a deep root in the hearts of men, it is refreshing to know that all is not lost, that there still are among us people like yourself who are in communion with the Creator, and able to transmit to us the benefit of your inspiration.

We take pride in encouraging your ecumenical mission and pray for your success.

We look forward to reading your next book. Meanwhile, we send you our blessings from the Holy City of God and ask the Lord to keep you and guard you.

Archbishop David Sahagian 
Chancellor & Grand Sacristan

 

Archbishop Frane Franic

Archbishop Emeritus of Split and Makarsk and former President of the Episcopal Theological Commission, Yugoslavia Split, Yugoslavia

The following introduction by Archbishop Franic was first published in 1993:

The Purity of the Integral Revelation of God

When I received two books written by the visionary Vassula Ryden, and translated into Croatian by Mrs. Marija-Dragica Vukic, I was pleasantly surprised, all the more because the translation was made from English in Belgrade, where Mrs. Vukic lives. She asked me to write a preface for the third book which will appear in Croatian. There are already five volumes in English entitled True Life in God written by Vassula Ryden. It is a great pleasure for me to write this preface.

The first news I heard about Vassula was two years ago, in 1991, in a Canadian Catholic review, L'Informateur Catholique. A great deal of that particular issue was devoted to Vassula. Thereafter, the review published information about her regularly. A good Catholic lady living in Canada, who is very interested in Medjugorje, a leader of frequent pilgrimages, directed strong criticism against Vassula, alleging that there were false theories in the messages which she is transmitting: for example, that Jesus calls Himself "Eternal Father" of men, as if He identifies Himself in every respect with the Father, thus denying the distinction between the Father and the Son.

永恆聖祭將會遭人踐踏 1994年10月14日

（聖彌額爾說話。）

 

基督‹苦難›的華蘇拉，我 － 聖彌額爾總領天使，我向你問安和降福你；

－ 你記得天主怎樣地召叫了你在祂內度一個‹真生活›嗎？直到今天，僅是你靈修上復活的回憶就感動到令我流淚… 你曾經與天主作戰，因為你所有的顧慮的都是不屬靈的事，但現在，願光榮歸於天主、公正的‹那一位›、‹至高者›；祂以祂的聖神庇蔭了你，而且用祂大能的手提昇了你作為祂的聖神的見證人，因為祂的聖神在你內建立了祂的居所；而自一開始以來¹，祂的聖神在你內找到祂的居所，俯聽了你這「‹父親›、‹阿爸›」的呼喊聲來光榮自己； － 現在，祂不久將要降臨來掃除那擅自居住在人心中的敗壞精神；

你看這兒，那‹永恆聖祭›²將會遭人踐踏三年以上；由於這令人難以置信的褻瀆，你們的居民三分之一必定會死於敗壞；上主以祂的聖潔立了誓；現在，你們要為與天主相遇而作準備…³我並不樂意告訴你們這所有一切，因為今日在你們的時代裡，魔鬼被人給予天大的榮耀；牠自開始以來就是個兇手和騙子，而牠現在像父親一樣地被人崇拜；榮耀反而歸於牠；在你們的日子裡，人們向牠的種種技倆鞠躬，而就這樣，你們這個時代的人就招引了懲罰到自己身上來；你們的國土都被成群結隊不潔的邪魔侵擾 － 牠們到處巡遊；

今天，撒殫甚至在誘惑天主的特選人；這是為什麼困擾正在臨到這個時代的人身上 － 他們用無辜的血⁴來建築他們的那些高塔，並且建立他們的家鄉在罪行上；唯一這種的犧牲⁵令撒殫高興… 你要將你的信心寄託在至高者身上，孩子，並且要鼓勵人們去祈求我的轉禱；我 － 聖彌額爾、天主的總領天使，永遠都不會厭倦維護‹真理›；你要穩如泰山⁶，即使那‹敵人›在你身上的打擊能造成傷害，但我與你同在；你要享有‹至高者›的寵愛；

 

（上主說話。）

 

你要平安；你要接近我和感覺我的‹平安›；我永遠都不會遺棄你的；我會幫助你，好使我的聖心在你內大獲全勝；你不要讓撒殫藉著懷疑來哄騙你；我會在你身上增加我的一些‹徵兆›，為了榮耀我的聖名，我會做這些事；

 

 

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1 從我的皈依開始。

2 耶穌在聖體聖事中的真實‹臨在›。

3 當聖彌額爾看到我傷心難過，祂獲得天主的允許多陪我一點，因為我傷心難過反思祂訊息的內容。

4 在很多國家都已墮胎合法了。

5 墮胎令撒殫高興，因為撒殫需要用人作的犧牲來獲得力量，而因此每天都有人墮胎，很多人都不察覺到，墮胎變成給魔鬼的一個不費吹灰之力的崇拜。魔鬼渴望得到血，而祂現在就從無辜的生命那裡得到。

6 聖彌額爾想要告訴我去模仿他，意思是說，永遠都不厭倦錄寫，或者就算得到打擊也不覺得氣餒。

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以東正教的觀點看復活

所有基督徒都認知到，主的復活是祂在世上的生活最榮耀的完滿，這是祂神性戰勝人性的結果，是從物質到精神的必要轉換過程，為耶穌恢復衪在天上的國度揭開了序幕，雖然基督宗派有關復活的教義，彼此間之差異微乎其微，但不同的文化以相當不同的方式來表達信仰。各種不同的基督徒傳統，雖然都環繞在同一個基督復活神學，但其在信仰表達上及信仰實踐的多樣性上，仍各有自己的精緻優雅的地方。

　　

本文會從東方教會的觀點，闡釋復活的主要面向，重點集中在神學、傳統與末世論。

-神學-   

十字架宣告 了一個時代的結束及新的開始。透過復活，耶穌這個神人回到祂永恆的本質且坐在祂父親右邊的光榮寶座上。（瑪 二五31、若十七5），在祂的任務快要終了時，祂預先告訴門徒們祂的死亡與復活（若十六16-17），聖若望也解釋道：藉由耶穌重新取得祂天上的光榮，天主的選民 也可在永生中得到光榮。（若十七1-5）

「一粒麥子如果不落在地裏死了，仍只是一粒；如果死了，才結出許多子粒來．．．」（《主內真生命》1992年9月）聖保祿告訴我們「假如基督沒有從死者中復活．．．我們的信仰便是空的……一切都成空」（格前十五14-17），東正教這樣認為，亞當與厄娃的不服從把罪惡帶進世界，於是罪惡佔有了人性，也因此把精神上的死亡及孤寂帶給全人類，但經由祂神聖的受難，耶穌償還了我們的罪債。衪甚至也償還了我們祖先們的原罪。接下來，身為首生者的耶穌，已先復活了，而且以這種作為展現了祂的神聖及衪的權能。復活的耶穌把亞當與厄娃從陰府的鎖鍊中釋放了；且也以這種行為，耶穌把人類提升到一個新受造物（格前十五13-26）。

這生命的成果保祿有所描述（格後三18）。

 在某種真實的意義上，東正教堅持耶穌的光榮復活，對所有忠心於祂的孩子們而言，也是新生命的起點。每一年，東正教最隆重慶祝、最盛大光榮的宴會是耶穌復活，同時他們也把這年度盛會視為所有已過世的天主選民將會一起復活的最佳預演。亡者復活於時間之先就已決定了，並會在天主所指定的未來某時刻發生。

值得一述的是歷史上最先感應到耶穌復活的是女人。因此以一個非常確實的方式，女人最先成為門徒；因為她們先傳播「好消息」，甚至傳給宗徒們。

　這些有關復活的見解被歷代東正教聖人們擴而充之、向前推進。聖葛羅利．啪拉瑪斯(St. Gregory Palamas)，在他給一位東正教的修女熙妮(Sister Xene)的信中，提到耶穌生活、死亡、復活的奧跡，略述如下：「因著衪對我們的無限慈悲，耶穌先降生成人，然後死於肉身，因此祂的靈魂（靈魂與肉身分離，但沒有與神性分離）能使他的身體復活，於是祂以屬天的光榮升了天。以同樣的行為，當我們過著一個美德的生活且活出在天主內的真生命時，經由死亡，我們的靈魂離開身體，但我們的靈魂並未與祂的神性分離。就是祂的神性使得基督在諸天堂能將我們的身體還給我們，因此我們才可能在基督的光榮有該得的一份。」聖葛羅利．啪拉瑪斯在同一封信重複說：「耶穌使得我們在祂內有屬於自己的復活，因此、活在耶穌的聖神內，不管是靈魂或肉身都不會朽壞，沒有痛苦、疾病及悲傷，真正活一個永恆的生命，並同天使在一起」。再一次，聖葛羅利提醒熙妮（和我們）：「那些尋求屬世慾望的人自絕於耶穌之外直通永死；但那些活在聖神中的人不僅能享受他們的復活，且透過他們的肉身被提升天，能完全享用神性的生命」。

　就是在祂的受難與復活的光照下，祂的道成人身才有意義，聖安削(St Athanasius)在他有關道成人身的作品中說：「天主受不了看到祂的受造物滑入虛無及死亡」，因此，祂命定耶穌的受難償還我們的罪債，耶穌的復活會提供永生給那些祂判定堪當承受的人，．．．「是的，我會 在死人身上噓氣，那麼他們便會活過來大聲喊叫『有誰肖似天主」（耶穌，《主內真生命》1993年3月1日）。

聖安削繼續討論神聖犧牲：「成了人身的〈道〉在十字架的犧牲並不僅僅是為了醫治受苦的人類，而是更新和再造，也就是說，復活整個人類！」換句話說：有可能天主說出一個字，世界就得到寬恕了，但這樣就不能擔保人性不會自我放鬆再回到罪惡，除非「靈性上已死亡」的人性（只在天主眼中有價值的）被祂的神性力量復活及再造，提昇到一個新世界。在那兒罪不存在且生命是永恆的。這條通向人性的復活及再造之路，以及在天主陪伴下的人性的復原，就是東正教所謂的Theosis，字面上的意思是：「變得像天主一樣」。

就是本文中真正東正教的復活觀點：耶穌的復活給人性一個屬於自己的復活希望，及在新耶路撒冷（默三12）與天主一起的新生活。

　擅聽告解者聖瑪克斯穆斯，在他的作品“基督的自由意志”中，提醒我們神學家聖若望的話：「天主竟這樣愛了世界，甚至賜下了自己的獨生子，使凡信衪的人不至喪亡，反而獲得永生，」（若三16），聖瑪克斯穆斯繼續在字面意義上說，基督有意救人的救贖意指，透過主的復活使得「人類與天主的和好以及天主收我們為祂的義子」，成為有可能。因為「救恩來自耶穌」（得前五9），聖瑪克斯穆斯也告訴我們：天主「渴望所有人的救贖，並渴求聖化他們」，（他們的Theosis），這使得天人合一。

    聖西蒙(St. Simeon)說：「天主為你及你的救贖賜下祂的唯一愛子來到世上，因為祂把你看做是祂的兄弟和同承繼人」，每個活出中悅天主的生活的人，都在基督內再創造及更新（復活），聖撒拉西歐斯Thalassios在他的作品「愛與自制」手稿第400頁告訴我們：「基督使有罪的亞當重新站立，因此救贖了我們，那麼他便可以拯救我們全部」。聖大馬士革彼得(St. Peter of Damascus)在他的作品「天梯聖約翰的第四個神視」中告訴我們：「透過共同復活的恩寵，天主的選民會永遠與基督生活在一起」，且再次說明「主的復活導向我們（這些死人）的共同復活」。聖耐吉(St. Niketas)在「（透過）我的噓氣，我會把它們（三大教會）熔解，使它們永久、永遠地化成一支鐵條。然後，你們便會達到對我的‹旨意›和我的 ‹明見›的一個完滿的認識。這將會是我給你們的一個‹禮物› － 一個猶如天堂般的‹教會›。它將會因我的‹光榮›而燦爛奪目，同時你們的詩歌將會在那一個唯一的聖體龕被人吟唱，並且，你們死氣沉沉的領土，必定會再次被 更生，轉變和復活起來。」 (《主內真生命》1989年11月2日)

在東正教復活節唱的復活之歌（以下），在復活節剛到12：00就開唱，重新確認我們以上提過的神學信念「基督從死者中復活了，同時用死亡來蹂躪死亡，並且將生命賜給那些躺在墳墓裏的人。」

-傳統-

就像耶穌在比喻中所說的，我們基督徒傳統充滿了象徵主義，這在東正教信仰中也實在是真是這樣的，以下是東正教信徒會用心去做的一些傳統。

◎在復活節禮儀中之點亮蠟燭禮

就在開始復活節禮儀之後，在東正教教堂內的燈全都關掉，蠟燭吹熄；除了一炬長明蠟燭外，就是在至聖所聖體櫃旁邊的那一根，（仿造撒羅滿聖殿的至聖所）。在沒有光亮之下，我們模擬除了有聖神這一點亮光之外的全然黑暗世界。然後，神父開始以優揚的曲調唱著：「看，請前來並接受來自長明蠟燭的光明（聖神之光）以及把榮耀歸於復活後的基督」。之後神父從長明蠟燭點亮自己的蠟燭，再依序遞傳點燃信友的蠟燭。當火還在傳遞中時，神父唱復活之歌（基督從死者中復活，……），唱過幾首歌之後，全體會眾走出教堂門外，歌唱讚美主及祂的復活，為使全世界都能聽見，再回到教堂內繼續禮儀。

    值得一提的是，當每間東正教教堂的神父還在從至聖所內的那根長明蠟燭來點燃自己的蠟燭時；在耶穌聖墓服務的耶路撒冷主教走進聖墓，祈禱後他的蠟燭就自發地點燃了（並非從其他火源）。然後當主教走出時，蠟燭遞出火焰，點燃人們放在不同距離的蠟燭（從少於一公尺（碼），到好幾公尺（碼）遠的距離）。

◎在門口敲門

在復活節週日，Agape禮儀，東正教神父會走到關閉著的大門外，用十字架敲這些門三次。這象徵著那把人類關在地獄的門，現在打開了，且生命之源走進了，然後禮儀才開始。

◎塗復活蛋

在這一點上還有頗大的爭論，沒有別的象徵比彩繪復活蛋更廣為人知的了。但是只有極少數人知道該傳統背後的意義。當這些蛋（傳統上是煮過的並塗上紅色）一起撞破之後（個人以自己的復活蛋撞破別人的，勝利的那一人就可得到祝福），就把它們解決了。只有活著而不是煮熟的東西，才能有生命從中產生。然而，把蛋用水煮熟（生命死去），塗成紅色，象徵基督在十字架上所流的血，（這對俄羅斯弟兄感到抱歉，用多種顏色也許比較有節慶性，但並不象徵基督從十字架上所流的血）。最後，在信徒互相把復活蛋撞裂，然後享用了它，它的養分帶給我們生命。聽起來很熟悉嗎？這也可象徵聖體聖事，我們享用了就帶給我們靈性的生命。

◎復活節羔羊

再次，耶穌，身為天主的羔羊，為我們死，藉著享用天主的羔羊我們得到永恆的生命（聖體聖事的另一象徵）。

-末世論-

東正教相信，天主的選民得到光榮的冠冕是一個長時間過程的結果，稱為Theosis。當達成了，這包括耶穌認定夠資格獲得永生的人之肉身的復活，這永恆的生命是由天主所復活的人並擺在新天的人所享受的，即「新耶路撒冷」，默示錄第三章12節有所陳述。

值得讚嘆的是耶穌為完成這個‹新›天所做的，為了理解這項，讓我們從科學的觀點來切入，這涉及杜林聖殮布。

◎都靈殮布的歷史

海倫皇后（君士坦丁的母親，兩人都成為教會的聖人）於西元340年長期駐留在聖地。在這期間內，她蒐集了許多聖物，其中就有我們所謂的都靈聖殮布。她還特別蓋了一座教堂 － 聖瑪麗德蓮堂，位於君士坦丁堡（今日的伊斯坦堡），並將聖殮布置於其內。但在十字軍於西元1204年4月劫掠君士坦丁堡時，聖殮布被搶走了。因此，東正教對殮布的真實性有不間斷歷史性的了解，這可追溯到聖海倫皇后。

◎Mandelion描繪相同的面部影像

撇開歷史不談，任何人看到聖殮布或它的照片，就證明了耶穌的形像（是的，聖殮布是真實的，正如耶穌告訴華蘇拉的）完美地印在該等布上。此外，擦拭聖容的「Mandelion」（手帕，現存於西班牙），也描繪出與聖殮布相同的影像（the Mandelion最初在苦路時放在耶穌的臉上，之後才被聖殮布包覆著）。

◎該影像應該寬得多

在功效方面，根據當時猶太人傳統，聖殮布是像木乃伊般的包覆聖屍。因此該布涵蓋身體所有的表面積，這就是為何直到今天我們能知道耶穌完整的形象。但是，因為這塊布已經「披上」及「裹住」耶穌的各個面向（縱使這些已經印上去了），在殮布上的影像應該比真實的形象更寬得多。為了呈現這要點，請用一條手帕披在臉上，包緊鼻子周圍，假如鼻子塗滿了顏料，該布料所呈現的會比你像照鏡子般直視來得寬許多。但是在聖殮上的耶穌影像是那樣的完美，完美到好似在平面上的「投影」，怎麼會如此這般呢？

◎聖屍的三度空間輻射………不受重力影響

會這樣把身體影像印在布上的唯一可能方法，就像聖殮布的耶穌一樣，只能透過密集強烈的輻射。事實上，當聖殮布用雷達顯影科技檢驗時，聖屍的輪廓呈現出三度空間！然而，就在同時影像清晰的呈現出來，就像照鏡子一樣，甚至連背面也沒有受到重力的影響，身體的某些部分（例如臀部）本來應該被身體壓在石板上的重量所壓平.卻呈現出自然的完整性。

◎並不只是放射出高劑量的輻射且還漂浮在半空中

這些記號指出聖屍放出高輻射，完全懸浮在空中，在聖殮布的頂層和底部之間，如此才能捕捉到好似在鏡中的影像。

◎這些「特異性」是在自然的情形下發生，在極大的不穩定之臨界點……就像宇宙創造之初

在自然界，這些條件不會發生。但當它們發生了，甚至在極少數的個案中，科學上稱為「特異性」，在自然界這些特異現象會發生的唯一條件，就是在超級不穩定的臨界點，就像創造新宇宙。因此，在耶穌的復活中，創造了《新宇宙》。

◎那麼，「新天」的意義就更容易了解了

假如我們把創造新宇宙的事件與聖經對照著看，那麼就更容易瞭解「新天」的意義，在伯後三12-14，默二一1，指的新的屬靈地點以及新的實體地點，都會是選民住的地方─一個未被罪破壞的世界。

在衪的復活中，衪不但回到天上的寶座，而且還為他未來的孩子們創造一個新家。

-文章出處 : 主內真生命雜誌2008年四月 / 作者: Jim Peters, Atlanta, USA  / 譯者: Arboo, Taiwan