+ C H R I S T O P H E RBy the Grace of God
Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan of Midwestern America
TO ALL PRIESTS, VENERABLE MONASTICS, AND DEVOUT PEOPLE, GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE OF GOD THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND FROM OUR HUMILITY THE JOYOUS GREETING:
PEACE OF GOD, CHRIST IS BORN!
We greet you dear brothers and sisters, with our mutual greeting which expresses the essence of the great Feast day, the Nativity of our Savior Jesus Christ. This greeting contains the deepest meaning of the celebration of the birth of the Son of God.
Through preparation by directing our pious thoughts toward God by prayer, fasting, confession, Holy Communion, love and almsgiving our souls become capable of receiving light and mercy from God and attaining a feeling of “peace” and “goodwill” of which Christ’s incarnation has brought to mankind.
This day of peace and Christ’s love should prompt and encourage us to promise to lead our children to Him, to teach them the true precepts of our Holy Faith, and not ignore His calling: “Let the children come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:14).
Let us bring our children to religious education classes that they may learn that this world is not accidental and without cause, but the work of Eternal God. Let us keep reminding our children not to allow their souls to be captivated by material things and sensual pleasures of this world, which may ultimately result in a feeling of misfortune and emptiness in a “house of abundance”, as well as loneliness, being forgotten by others who become deaf to their cries and torment of their souls. We invite you, dear spiritual children, to become God’s co-Workers in spreading the Gospel of Christ’s love that peace and good will may prevail among us.
On this day of universal spiritual joy, we call upon you to remember with your generous offering your Metropolitanate and St. Sava Monastery, which recently has been spiritually adorned with beautiful frescoes, depicting images of our Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Trinity, the Most Holy Mother of God, Holy Prophets and Apostles, major Feast Days, and Saints pleasing unto God, as well as the Council of Serbian Saints and Martyrs, as well as the newly canonized St. Nikolai of Zicha. Come and visit your Monastery often for prayer and blessings.
Peace of God, Christ is Born! A Happy and blessed New 2008 year to all.
Your prayerful intercessor before the Christ Child
+ C H R I S T O P H E R
METROPOLITAN
OF MIDWESTERN AMERICA
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