Beloved brothers in Christ,
Your Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of American
Your Eminence Cardinal Keeler,
Beloved friend the Honorable Kurt Schmoke,
Most beloved friend and Archon Senator Paul Sarbanes
Distinguished representatives of Humanitarian Relief Organizations,
Honored guests and friends,
Beloved spiritual children in the Lord,

We rejoice in spirit today as we behold you, the doers of the Word, the missionaries of love, peace and hope.  The work of your various organizations is most certainly a fulfillment of the Lord’s injunction, that we should act in righteousness, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (cf. Micah 6:8).

Among all of you gathered here today, we find a special spiritual refreshment in the presence of the International Orthodox Christian Charities.   This cooperative, inter-Orthodox ministry of the American Orthodox Community is a living witness to the love of God.  The Ecumenical Patriarchate fully supports and blesses your world wide ministries.

  Indeed, you are peacemakers, waging a campaign for peace in war torn countries around the globe, and suffering alongside those whose lands have been ravaged.  We express our deep concern for the safety of the two kidnapped relief workers employed by the International Orthodox Christian Charities: Dimitri Petrov, and Dimitri Piankowsky.  May God bring them home soon and in safety to their families. 

Along with your brothers and sisters in organizations represented here today, all of you are manifesting a unity of heart and soul that exceeds the powers of the intellect.   Would that we could approach the love that blessed Mother Teresa had for every soul, irrespective of who they were or what they believed!  Love that sees in the face of a starving child . . . the face of Him Who was born in the cave and laid in the manger.  Love that sees in the homeless person . . . the face of the Son of Man who had nowhere to lay His head.  Love that sees in the leper and those who suffer with AIDS . . . the One Who bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows.   Love that sees in the face of the dying . . . the resurrected countenance of the Lord of Glory.

All of you are blessed, truly blessed; for the Lord Himself pronounced it so when He said: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

May His infinite mercy come upon you, your families and all those whose lives you touch, by His grace and love for mankind.