Christ is Risen!
This coming Sunday is yet another beautiful Gospel account of Christ's active ministry of healing and salvation, as we read about the healing the blind man. As we continue to enjoy the wonderful Sunday themes during the Paschal season it is easy to forget something though. Amidst all these joyful Sundays we can easy gloss over the saints are being celebrated. This coming Sunday we celebrate St. Vincent of Lerins who was a staunch defender of the Orthodox faith in the 5th century. Many of you probably know him for his famous quote about the centrality of continuing in the faith that has been believed 'everywhere, always, and by all'.
St. Vincent clearly highlights the importance of following the Christian faith received from Christ, passed on to His Apostles, and continued down to the present day through the Church. This reality not only safeguards us against straying from the normative Christian path but it reminds us that we are not alone in this pandemic and struggle. We are connected to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Our Christian faith, rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, allows those past and present Christians to be one in the Body of Christ. In this time of ongoing isolation and anxiety, we can take refuge in knowing that we are connected to millions and millions of Christians throughout the ages and even in our present day.
As evidence that we are not alone, I wanted to share that our own Metropolitan Gerasimos has been sharing videos each week to the faithful within our metropolis. This coming Saturday (5/23) at 12:30pm the Metropolitan will be conducting a service for those who have passed away or are afflicted by COVID-19 and you can submit names to be prayed for at this service. Likewise, Archbishop Elpidophoros has posted many videos to reach out to the faithful across all America. The Archdiocese has also created a COVID-19 relief fund for those that have been impacted financially by the pandemic to receive up to $2,500. These are just a few small examples that we are truly not alone and that the Church is always here for us in whatever situation we face.
I pray that you continue to be uplifted by the reality that the Church is with you and that our good Lord continue to shine His loving face upon you.
In Christ,
Dn. Steve
This coming Sunday is yet another beautiful Gospel account of Christ's active ministry of healing and salvation, as we read about the healing the blind man. As we continue to enjoy the wonderful Sunday themes during the Paschal season it is easy to forget something though. Amidst all these joyful Sundays we can easy gloss over the saints are being celebrated. This coming Sunday we celebrate St. Vincent of Lerins who was a staunch defender of the Orthodox faith in the 5th century. Many of you probably know him for his famous quote about the centrality of continuing in the faith that has been believed 'everywhere, always, and by all'.
St. Vincent clearly highlights the importance of following the Christian faith received from Christ, passed on to His Apostles, and continued down to the present day through the Church. This reality not only safeguards us against straying from the normative Christian path but it reminds us that we are not alone in this pandemic and struggle. We are connected to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Our Christian faith, rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, allows those past and present Christians to be one in the Body of Christ. In this time of ongoing isolation and anxiety, we can take refuge in knowing that we are connected to millions and millions of Christians throughout the ages and even in our present day.
As evidence that we are not alone, I wanted to share that our own Metropolitan Gerasimos has been sharing videos each week to the faithful within our metropolis. This coming Saturday (5/23) at 12:30pm the Metropolitan will be conducting a service for those who have passed away or are afflicted by COVID-19 and you can submit names to be prayed for at this service. Likewise, Archbishop Elpidophoros has posted many videos to reach out to the faithful across all America. The Archdiocese has also created a COVID-19 relief fund for those that have been impacted financially by the pandemic to receive up to $2,500. These are just a few small examples that we are truly not alone and that the Church is always here for us in whatever situation we face.
I pray that you continue to be uplifted by the reality that the Church is with you and that our good Lord continue to shine His loving face upon you.
In Christ,
Dn. Steve
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