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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE by Bishop MATTHEW of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

GREETINGS FOR THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST TO THE CLERGY, MONASTICS, AND LAITY OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUROZH AND THE PATRIARCHAL PARISHES in CANADA

Dear Fathers, brothers and sisters!

The time for spiritual celebration has approached – the Church invites us to enter the Holy Days, beginning with the feast of the Nativity of Christ and concluding with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The sacred events of the Gospel narrative remembered by the Church unite us with a common joy of the coming into the world of Christ the Savior and a common hope for deliverance of mankind from sin and eternal death.

This past year has become for all of us a year of unexpected trials, including stressful concerns regarding the health of our relatives, friends and acquaintances, restrictions in the celebration of divine services, and the inability to share the joy of common prayer, and much, much more.

I sincerely thank the clergy and parishioners of the Diocese of Sourozh, the Patriarchal parishes in the USA, Canada and Mexico for their selfless fulfillment of their assigned obedience’s, for their responsible and careful approach to the observance of all the instructions prescribed by His Holiness, the Patriarch, and the demonstrations of civic consciousness with the implementation of the decisions of the local authorities. This was an example of Christian love for one’s neighbor. By deed and word, support was provided to those who required special attention and care.

I pray with you that the coming New Year will be marked by the long-awaited deliverance from the destructive epidemic and filled with peace and prosperity. I believe that the All-Merciful Lord, who has manifested His goodness to the human race many times and in many ways, will visit all those who have faith in Him and renew our spiritual and physical strength.

I wholeheartedly congratulate all of you, dear Fathers, brothers and sisters, with the birth of our Lord and Savior and prayerfully wish all of you good health and spiritual joy and call your attention to the words of the Apostle Paul: “Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times” (Rom. 12: 11-12).

I invoke the blessing of God on all of you.

With love in our newborn Christ,

+MATTHEW

Bishop of Sourozh

Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Address of His Grace Bishop MATTHEW of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, on the occasion of the patronal feast of St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada.

Beloved in the Lord Fathers, brothers and sisters!

I cordially greet you on this significant anniversary celebration – the patronal feast of St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada!

Being the same age as the statehood of Canada, Russian Orthodoxy on the North American continent, through the efforts of its missionaries, made a significant contribution to the formation of many aspects of the life of peoples in the New World, hospitably opened its arms to Orthodox fellow believers from various countries for which Canada became a second homeland.

The Russian Orthodox Church, having passed all the trials of the 20th century with its flock, has preserved its spiritual heritage in North America, which today is carefully preserved and multiplied in parishes in the Patriarchal parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada. After the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in America in 1970, the Patriarchal parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada preserved the Orthodox traditions brought by Russian missionaries, and St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton became the unifying center of Orthodoxy in Canada.

Fulfilling the covenant of Christ “go all over the world and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15), outstanding hierarchs and famous pastors have labored in the field of spiritual nourishment of the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the days of the jubilee, we remember with gratitude His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon, now glorified as a Saints, Bishop Nicholas of Alaska, Archbishop Panteleimon of Edmonton, Priest James Korchinsky, Archpriest John Margitich and his son John Margitich, and all those who served to the Holy Orthodoxy. Today, the clergy of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada, the clergy of St. Barbara Cathedral, continue to selflessly and with the meekness of Christ to carry the missionary feat, devoting all their strength to the service of the Holy Church.

This year, great trials have befallen us, the pandemic has disrupted the way of our usual life. Despite all the difficulties, we continue to carry out our spiritual service, trusting in the mercy of God and we will make every effort to preserve our health and the health of our loved ones.

I congratulate the clergy and the pious flock with the patronal feast and prayerfully wish you God’s help in your service and reinforcing of your spiritual and physical strength!

+ MATTHEW

Bishop of Sourozh,

Temporary Administrator

of Patriarchal Parishes

of the Moscow Patriarchate December 13, 2020

The Nativity Fast

The Nativity fast begins on November 15/28, and lasts forty days.

The Nativity fast is not as strict as Great Lent or the Dormition fast, and can be compared to the Apostle’s fast. It was instituted by the Church so that we would worthily greet the feast of the Nativity of Christ after having cleansed our hearts by prayer and repentance.

https://orthochristian.com/65960.html