Unto the Reverend Clergy and the Pious Faithful of the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia.
Beloved Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Again, we are preparing to celebrate the Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a historical event which had a cosmic repercussion. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Is. 9:6). Following the Holy Scripture, ecclesiastical hymnography describes this event admirably:
“What shall we offer you, O Christ, because you have appeared on earth as a man for our sakes? For each of the creatures made by you offers you its thanks: the Angels their hymn; the heavens the Star; the Shepherds their wonder; the Magi their gifts; the earth the Cave; the desert the Manger; but we a Virgin Mother. God before the ages, have mercy on us.”
And the question arises for us on this feast, what shall we offer Him? Because every day of our life, Christ is waiting for only one thing: to find a shelter and settle in our hearts. Because the true Christian is the one who leads a life with Christ and in Christ. The true Christian is the one for whom Christ is the center of his life. The true Christian is the one for whom Christ is his true food in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The true Christian is the one who reflects the love of Christ, true identity of those who are his disciples (Jn. 13:35).
Alas, more than two thousand years later, Rachel still cries her children and cannot be consoled (Jer. 31:15; Mt. 2:18). Blood still flows on earth. The dead resulting from armed conflicts are counted in millions, not to mention the wounded and captives. Alas, humanity remains deaf to the exclamation of angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Lk. 2:14).
The tragic history of humanity which continues to the present day teaches us that peace is difficult to find on earth. Peace is a gift from God. It is why Christ instructs his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”(Jn. 14:27). And that is why the Holy Apostle Paul wishes Christians “grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7). Since it is a gift from God, the Church when gathering for worship continuously prays “for peace from above”. And if we find ourselves in this disposition of peace, we propagate it around us in the world, and we pray for all those who are in perils, adversities, misfortunes and hasten to help them. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God!” (Mt. 5:9).
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With these thoughts, I cordially congratulate you with the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, asking Him to grant us all the peace from above and to bless the new year 2025!
Antalya, Christmas 2024
+ Job of Pisidia
