Beloved Spiritual Children,

In the Holy and Divine Liturgy, we hear the celebrating Priest cry out, “Let us commit ourselves, one another and our whole life to Christ our God.” This is an astonishing exhortation that constantly reminds and challenges each and every one of us to set our minds on the Kingdom of God. What does it mean to commit ourselves, one another and our whole life to Christ our God?

Living in a world distorted by sin, how do we take this particular exhortation and make it an authentic expression in our lives? To commit to someone is to make an agreement or covenant with that individual. When we commit ourselves to God and the Orthodox Church, we wholeheartedly pledge ourselves to Christ as King and God.  We cannot accept Christ on only a part time basis.

To be an Orthodox Christian means to fully accept the entire dogma of the Orthodox Church. Through the Mysteries of the Church, we are afforded the opportunity to commit our whole lives to Christ. Through the Mysteries of the Church, we recognize Christ as a real presence in our lives, just as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Him in the Breaking of the Bread (cf. Lk 24:13-25).  When we actively participate in the Mysteries of the Church, then that we have accepted our commitment or covenant with Christ.

Living in a sinful world, we have many distractions and obstacles that block our path toward Christ. By living a “good” and “moral” life, we have begun our journey.  But to live a “good” and “moral” life without participating in the Mysteries of the Church, is to fall short of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

It has often been said that you are the future of the Church, but we tell you now that you are more than the future!  You are the eternal and everlasting “Now” — the presence of Christ through His Holy Spirit — in the midst of the Church today. The new millenium is yours! And as daughters and sons of the Great Church of Christ, you carry in your hearts and minds the two thousand year history of our past — a past filled with wonders and miracles and Councils and Saints and even sinners who became Saints!

You embody the very memory and history of the Christian Faith.  For 75 years in America, the Greek Orthodox Church has guarded and guided the faithful of this land. The Church has nurtured you, and planted within you the promise of the future. In your eyes, the past glories of the Church, Aghia Sophia itself, lives on and continues to preach the word of salvation, because you hold on to its vision. In your ears, the hymns of countless pious men and women resound with the message of eternal life and eternal truth. In your minds, the words and teaching of the Fathers and great Saints of the Church find an ever new appreciation and understanding. In your hearts, the love of God is borne abroad by the Holy Spirit Who is communicated to us through the Holy and Divine Liturgy, where we receive the very Body and Blood of Christ.

Beloved children in the Lord, within you, the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Christ, the Kingdom of the Holy Spirit is ready to unfold and reveal the mysteries of eternal life. Strive to live the life of the Kingdom on earth. Commit yourselves, one another and your whole life to Christ our True God, and His blessing and peace will fill your life with an abundance of joy. This inner joy will never be taken from you. Remember the commandment to “love one another.”

Christ will always be with you my children, if you keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of His presence. We are with you always, praying for you and beseeching our Lord to keep you in the love of the Holy Trinity. You have our Patriarchal blessing. I love you my children, very much.

May the grace and infinite mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ always abide within you.  Amen.