New Years Encyclical 2007

Details: By Archbishop Chrysostomos II; Created on Friday, 26 January 2007 14:42

Brethren and children in the Lord: Grace and blessings from the Lord.

By Divine goodness and philanthropy, we are entering the new year of 2007, continuing the journey of our lives upon the earth we choose our manner of life, according to either God or the world. We travel through the present life, some being oriented toward heaven just as the magi were by the star and others toward earthly vanity.

The All-good God provides His good things unto both alike, as a gracious Father who respects each person?s free will, which will either reward or condemn him who has it.

At this point, giving us an example and prototype of the certainty we must have, the divine Paul says, "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air—but against the treacherous foe redeeming the time because the days are evil."

From a position of responsibility and with paternal yearning we exhort the flock entrusted to us, created in God?s image, and worthy of praise, to honor the present world through an upright life in conformity with the divine teaching of the Church. This shall be toward one?s own profit and chiefly to the glory of God Who was incarnate for us honoring that which was created in His image.

Keeping the above-stated in mind, let us receive the new year of divine goodness with much thanksgiving toward God and obedience to His holy will.

May the incarnate Lord and Master, Christ our God give steadfast heavenly peace from His rich mercy; enlightenment unto the knowledge of truth; and unabated health of both soul and body unto those upon the earth and victory to the Church against Its enemies. May He grant us to return to our ancestral roots and every good from heaven for many years.

With paternal love,
Your fervent intercessor with the Lord
Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Athens and all Greece

Orthodox Awareness

A Miracle of Saint Spyridon

This miracle of Saint Spyridon took place in Mandra, Greece in 1926.

It was 12/25 December, 1926. The state Church of Greece adopted the Papal calendar and with the help of the Greek government persecuted all those who did not accept the Papal calendar. The faithful Orthodox Christians of Mandra woke up and headed to their Church to celebrate the Feast of Saint Spyridon. When they reached the Church they saw that the door to the Church had been secured with chains and the faithful could not enter. Before leaving the Church to return to their homes they stuck their candles on the door. As soon as the last person placed his candles on the door

the chains broke and fell. The faithful, confirmed in their Faith, entered the Church and celebrated the Feast of Saint Spyridon.

The miracle was reported the next day by the newspaper Skrip.

Missions

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission, Tucson, Arizona

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is a beautiful mission parish near downtown Tucson, a city in southern Arizona. It was started in 1997 by Father John Bockman, who was a missionary Priest formerly serving missions in Tennessee and Massachusetts since 1990. Father John served the faithful in Tucson and the surrounding area in his home Chapel until his repose in November of 2000. His wife, Presbytera Valerie, continued to make her home Chapel available for the mission, with clergy from Saint Nectarios Orthodox Church in Seattle and His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto (then of Portland), visiting to provide the Divine Services.

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