Beloved Brother in Christ, Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Beloved Brother in Christ, Bishop Anthony of San Francisco,
Reverend Clergy, Distinguished Guests,
Beloved Friends and Children in the Lord,

Glory to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Who gathers us today from all over the world, that we might glorify His Holy Name, and recognize one another through His merciful love for us.
By Divine Grace we arrived at the western edge of the North American continent, to gather in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of San Francisco. We give thanks to the Almighty that we are here in the heart of the Diocese of San Francisco. From the east, we bring the blessings of the Ecumenical Throne, proclaiming love and unity, faith and hope, proclaiming the blessings of the Most High to our clergy, her Christ-loving people, and to all who desire fellowship in the Lord.
The Archangel Gabriel was sent from the Father in heaven to come before the Theotokos and proclaim to her the good news that would transform the world. He hailed her as the heavenly door, the royal gate, the bridge between the faithful and heaven by which God would come to man. She received the news in contrition and astonishment, saying: “Let it be unto me according to your will, the Lord will raise up mankind, as He alone is able to do, unto his ancient state of glory.” Therefore we also, having come by divine goodwill from the east, convey unto you our Paternal greeting. We bring a message of love and hope. We announce to you the assurance of salvation, standing upon the firm rock of the faith. We stand on the Apostolic foundation laid by the First Called Apostle Andrew. As the 270th successor and Ecumenical Patriarch, we are called to proclaim in love, what Christ has assured to all through His disciples. As perfect God and perfect man, we have seen the perfection of our future. We announce His mercy and divine condescension. We know that, through the prayers of the Lord’s Holy Mother, that Christ’s mercy and redemption shall come upon one and all.
Once, the bodiless servant Gabriel came to announce the condescension of the Master’s presence, the Holy Spirit was sent to the ensouled palace of glory, to prepare a fit dwelling for the creator. A heavenly, kingly seat, a flaming throne, a ready house for the Master to dwell in, all of this by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
This glorious place, prepared to receive the Lord of Hosts was Mary, the mother of the Lord. And now, in this sacred temple, the Church of the Theotokos, the announcement of salvation is proclaimed. The Good News is preached by the reverend clergy of this holy archdiocese, to the pious faithful. This diocese spreads the grace and blessing of the Most High God to the faithful. Through this proclamation, those that hear and believe, become partakers in the Lord’s holiness. The same Lord, in His high priestly prayer, sought sanctification for His disciples, and granted that this blessing would be extended to all who would believe in Him. “Sanctify them, in Thy truth. Thy word is truth. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they might be sanctified in truth” (John 17:17-19). Mankind has been freed from the yoke of sin and weaknesses of the passions through faith in our Savior, Lord and God. All humankind has been ordained to bring forth fruits of righteousness, philanthropy and holiness. The Apostle Paul announces this to the Romans when he says: “Now you have been freed from sin and you are servants of God. You have these fruits for your sanctification, the end of which, is life everlasting” (7:22). Therefore, this allegiance to the will of God guides people to a real and salvific, redeeming freedom. It is by this redemption that Christ has freed us all.
Indeed, rightly has the wise Solomon observed that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and that the council of the Saints is understanding. According to Him, those who conduct their lives in righteousness and holiness, and guard and preserve the pious traditions of their forefathers, are in a position at the time of judgement to give a good defense. “Those who guard righteous things righteously, themselves become righteous and those who teach such things shall find a defense” (Prov 6:10). God has chosen from his flock, those who are perfected in holiness. “He has sanctified him by faith and meekness, he has chosen him from all humanity” (Wisdom of Sirach 45:4). The exhortation of our Lord Jesus Christ is sincere, “be holy, for I am holy.”
Since Christ is Holy, we too may attain to His holiness. We are called to love one another that His holiness might find a sanctified home, a proper temple in which to dwell. The prophet Hosea gives us the way by which a Christian may achieve this holiness: “I do nothing in the spirit of anger.” Guard and preserve the law of God. Love your creator with all your heart with all your understanding and your neighbor as yourself. “On these two commandments rest all the law and the prophets.” By the example of the life and teaching of our Lord, by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, from the beginnings of our faith, the ranks of holy men and women have shown unto us who live today, a way of living in holiness. By the example, we learn how to keep God’s commandments. We learn how to love our fellow man and especially “the least of the brethren” of the Lord. We do this so that we may have a good defense on the dread day of the perfect judgement of God.
The Orthodox Church offers us examples of the saints and righteous people everyday. Therefore, we have no justification for our own sloth and laziness. For example, by the parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus, the Lord points out that for sinners, there is no repentance after death. Remember how Abraham pointed out to the rich man in the parable, “child, remember that you received good things in your life and Lazarus received evil; but now he is comforted there and you are in grief. And more than this, there is a great chasm fixed between us and you, so that those who would desire to go to you from us are not able, neither can they pass from there to us” (Lk 16:19-31). In the Gospel, our hymns and our liturgical tradition, we hear on a daily basis, of the lives of the martyrs and saints of the Orthodox faith. We do this, that we may beseech them and pray to our all powerful God, and seek that He grant unto the Christians of today, the complete knowledge of His will according to spiritual wisdom and understanding. We seek His knowledge through every good work, that we “might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might” (Col. 1:10 ff.).
In this city that bears the name of a pious saint of the Church of Rome, the Lord expects from the Orthodox Church of this diocese, that He may find saints – virtuous, good, and righteous people of God. The Lord asks us to live a spiritual life to the glory of His name and the Orthodox Church. He asks us to bear witness to the truth we proclaim. We fervently pray that the Triune God will bless you richly for the concord and unity of the members of the Church, clergy and lay, guiding you in peace and in the ways of righteousness, and the performance of your faith unto holiness of life.
We ask these things, that you may be perfect models of Christ’s love to others. Let all those who claim the name of Christ, in freedom draw near to Christ. Let everyone be a vessel of Christ’s promise. We love and respect all human beings created in the image and likeness of the Father. We know of the perfect love of God through His Son, and we are sustained by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. Let us all seek to live holy lives, according to the Lord’s commandments. Let us remember that to love one another, is the greatest of these commandments. Let us be prepared, as Mary was, to receive with love, the King of Glory, who loves each and every human being.
May the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, abide in you now and always. Amen.