During the coming days, we celebrate Easter to commemorate the core of our Christian faith: the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his resurrection, Jesus became the pioneer and completer of our Christian faith.

In Europe, almost everybody can celebrate Easter in freedom and safety, It is sad to see that so many Christians in other parts of the world are not free and safe to celebrate Easter.On Palm Sunday, Coptic Churches in Egypt were attacked viciously by IS terrorists. At least 45 people were killed. Taking place at the beginning of the Holy Week leading up to Easter, the attacks viciously disturbed a time normally reserved for joy, remembrance and celebration of Christ’s sacrifice. Christian communities worldwide mourned with the families of the victims, prayed for them and showed their compassion and sympathy.

In those times of sorrow and despair, we want to point to Jesus’ remarkably comforting words on the day of his resurrection, when he spoke “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28 verse 20). Let those words be of comfort to us: he is with us not only in times of joy, but also in times of sorrow. 
With those words in mind, the ECPM members and staff want to wish all of you a good Easter in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us in Jerusalem, so many years ago.