Nativity Encyclical for the Year of Our Salvation 2011
- Fr. Savvas Anastasiou
- Monday, 09 January 2012 16:26
Beloved Children in the Lord,
Solomon, the wisest of kings, prophesies in his Proverbs: Wisdom hath builded herself a house, and hath set up seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts, she hath mingled her wine in a bowl, and hath prepared a table. She hath sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside unto me; and to them that want understanding she saith, Come, eat of my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you. (Prov. 9: 1-5)
Today Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, fulfills this prophesy. He takes on human flesh and builds the house of His body, being born of the most pure Lady the Theotokos. So doing, He joins together God and man, and makes the two one. He calls each one of us to his spiritual banquet and to share in the Kingdom of Heaven.
During the sixth century after Christ’s incarnation, the great Emperor Justinian built an earthly temple, Hagia Sophia, dedicated to the Wisdom of God. This was the greatest church in the history of Christianity, and it served as a perfect reflection on earth of God’s majesty and glory. Keeping in mind how the economy of our salvation was inaugurated when the Wisdom of God deigned to be born in human flesh in the manger, Justinian chose to dedicate the church on the day of Christmas.
Now, our own Metropolis is celebrating Christmas by building an exact copy of Hagia Sophia at our spiritual center, Holy Ascension Monastery. The Fathers of the Monastery have toiled throughout the Christmas Fast to have the foundations finished in time for the Nativity of our Savior. We pray that God will bless this holy work, that His name might be glorified on earth by all men. Just as the pagans in times of old were converted upon seeing the church of Hagia Sophia, so we also entreat the Savior that this holy temple will bring the erring to the way of Truth and Wisdom, and be a source of consolation to the faithful in these troubled times.
Let us then hearken to the voice of the Wisdom of God calling us to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and to help, each as he can, in this blessed work. Let us imitate the Wise Men in bringing our gifts to Him, so that like them, we may receive grace and mercy from our Savior. Thus we will glorify His holy name and receive His blessing.
May the Child lying in the manger be with you all on this joyous day.
Your fervent intercessor,
Pavlos of America
Orthodox Awareness
Bartholomew Prays at Iftar
Iftar, refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after sunset.
We report the following unchanged as it was published:
"The leaders of the Armenian, Roman, Jewish and Syrian communities of Turkey sat around the fasting Iftar dinner in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul."
Community leaders met in Mevlevihane (Tekes Mevlevi) of Galata and proclaimed an encouraging message of unity.
Read more...Missions
Holy Mother of God, Charlottesville, Virginia
Maria never thought she would start a Church. However, God creates circumstances which cause people to do things they never planned to do. She had family members that were Old Calendarists and she had even attended services at St. Markella’s Cathedral many years ago. But that all became a memory, as life’s changes brought her to her own marriage, raising children, and living in diverse locations.Charlottesville, Virginia became her and her husband's home a few years ago. They settled in to the comfortable routine of worshiping in the local New Calendar parish.
Read more...Youth
When:
Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-5, 2011) Where:
Clearwater, Florida Host:
Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church Registration Form | More Info
Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-5, 2011) Where:
Clearwater, Florida Host:
Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church Registration Form | More Info
Ask A Priest
Why do we Call Angels “Saint”?
Q. I noticed that we call the angels Michael and Gabriel "Saint." I thought the title "Saint" was only given to humans who have proven themselves Godly. Do you mind clarifying this for me? Is there a deeper meaning to "Saint" that I am not aware of?
-S.L. Read more...