Most Reverend Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Beloved spiritual children of the Lord,

Christ is in our midst. We bring to you the blessings and love of the Holy Mother Church, our Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.  As we look out upon you, our beloved daughters and sons, we are filled with Christian  pride, optimism and hope for the future.  You are truly a generation poised to make your mark upon your nation and the world.  Rarely in history, perhaps never, has a generation been given so much with which to make its impact on the world around it.

Your are the proud standard bearers of the 75 year history of our beloved Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.  Let this year which marks this milestone anniversary be an opportunity for all of you re-dedicate yourselves to the mission of the Church, the salvation of the world.

God has given each and every one of you grace-filled talents and natural ability through the Gift of the Holy Spirit at your Chrismation.   From the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which has nurtured you, you have received instruction in the Holy Orthodox Faith.
From the love and sacrifice of your parents and grandparents, those brave immigrants who left behind all that they knew, you have received an opportunity to achieve the highest standards of education, prosperity and success in all fields of human endeavor.

As Greek Orthodox Christians, you have learned “aein aristevein” – “to excel always.”  You have learned to live a sacramental life which is spiritually, emotionally and physically healthy.

In 1976, when your much loved former Archbishop Iakovos created the Young Adult League founded upon the ideals of the GOYA – one of the many legacies of the ever-memorable Archbishop Michael — he had the foresight to place as its fundamental tenets  the four basic characteristics which define the life of an Orthodox Christian: LITURGIA, KOINONIA,  MARTYRIA and DIAKONIA.  You have lived up well to this standard by following the example of your Patron St. Stephen the First Martyr.   These principles have great depth and must be lived continuously.   It is worthwhile to immerse yourselves in the teachings of our faith and to participate in the Church’s Mysteries, with knowledge of their essential influence in our lives.  The grace that comes from them is not merely a concept.  It is tangible and effective reality.

And now, under the guidance of your beloved Archbishop Spyridon you will continue this most important ministry toward greater achievements  always for the Glory of God an for the good of His Holy Church.   With all of your talents and education and opportunity, you hold responsible positions in the secular world.  In industry, the sciences, business, education and government.  Offer these talents and your service to God with love for your neighbor, think always of how you may serve on another.

The time is now for you to take on leadership roles  within the Church.  For you are not just the future of the Church but you are Her present also.  The Holy Mother Church looks to Her children to set an example for all the world to follow.   You must spread the light of Christ which we are certain is burning  brightly within your hearts.  Reach out to the lapsed Orthodox  Christians.  Reach out to the unchurched, many of whom are searching desperately  for a light of spirituality in a world which often seems dark.  Too often they turn to cults, with their distorted, pseudo-distorted theologies, looking for answers.  You must be the beacon, the Fanari, for the search.

Be a voice for your fellow man, be a voice of Christ, be a voice for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, be a voice for the Great Church of Christ, the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the world.

You can and must bring out all which is good in God’s Creation, for it is indeed good.  Be good stewards of God’s creation:  the earth, the  Church and our nations, proclaiming in all things and to all people the  saving message of Christ our God.  

You are inheritors of a great legacy, one of the greatest legacies the world has ever known:  The Greek Orthodox Church – the union of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the pinnacle of human reasoning in Hellenic Paideia.   If you remain focused upon your rightful inheritance, you will succeed.  We have every  expectation that you will.

May God bless you and protect you with His fatherly love.