Archpastoral Reflections
Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Christmas: Both in Greek and English.
Although He comes to us in humility, in swaddling clothes and in poverty, He is the powerful Rod of the Root of Jesse. In assuming our human nature from his Most Holy Mother the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, He bears all the suffering and sin of humanity across all the ages. What strength in this Rod! What glory in His powerful love for every creature! Continue Reading... »
Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas
With the grace of God, we are once again this year celebrating in chant, hymn, and spiritual song the Nativity according to the flesh of the pre-eternal Son and Word of God, namely the manifestation of the mystery of God and humankind... Continue Reading... »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Great and Holy Pascha
How far we have come since Easter of last year! Those were dark days, when our passing of the light of the Resurrection had to be virtual, even if no less heartfelt. But as we all know, it is always darkest before the dawn. Continue Reading... »
Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha
Having completed the soul-profiting Lent and venerated the Lord’s Passion and Cross, behold today we are rendered participants of His glorious Resurrection, radiant through the feast and crying out with ineffable joy the world-saving announcement: “Christ is Risen!” Continue Reading... »
Archdiocesan Encyclical for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord
Please read the Archdiocesan Encyclical for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros here. Continue Reading... »
His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew's Encyclical for the New Ecclesiastical Year
It is a shared conviction that, in our time, the natural environment is threatened like never before in the history of humankind. The magnitude of this threat becomes manifest in the fact that what is at stake is not anymore the quality, but the preservation of life on our planet. For the first time in history, man is capable of destroying the conditions of life on earth. Nuclear weapons are the symbol of man’s Promethean titanism, the tangible expression of the “complex of omnipotence” of the contemporary “man-god.” Continue Reading... »
PATRIARCHAL ENCYCLICAL FOR HOLY PASCHA 2020
Having arrived at Holy Pascha and becoming partakers of the joy of the Resurrection, we praise the Lord of glory, who trampled down death by death and resurrected with Him the entire race of Adam, opening for us all the gates of paradise. Continue Reading... »
Encyclical and Directives Concerning the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus) Issued by Archbishop Elpidophoros and The Holy Eparchial Synod
The appearance of the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus) throughout the world and in the United States has created fear, anxiety, and genuine concern. All of these need to be taken seriously and no one’s fears should be dismissed out of hand. Already, religious bodies are responding in similar ways, but ways that are not necessarily consistent. In order to assist the Faithful in their own response, this statement is meant to guide and inform us all. Continue Reading... »
Patriarchal Christmas Encyclical
Having once again arrived at the great feast of the Lord’s Nativity, we glorify with hymn and spiritual song the One who emptied Himself for our sake and assumed our flesh so that He might redeem us from captivity to evil and open the gates of paradise to the human race. The Church of Christ rejoices as it liturgically experiences the whole mystery of Divine Economy and receives a foretaste of the glory of the eschatological kingdom, offering a good and godly witness to faith, hope and love in the world. Continue Reading... »
2019 Christmas Reflection of Metropolitan Methodios
M e r r y C h r i s t m a s! Every year we exchange this greeting, wishing that we all have a “merry Christmas”. What we mean and what we think by these words is like a picture taken from the perfect Christmas card: sentimental caroling, sugar plums, mistletoes, and the presents wrapped under the tree. In other words, a Christmas that is more about ¬us than it is about Christ. Continue Reading... »
A True Fast - Reflection from Metropolitan Methodios
In the Divine Liturgy, prior to the Great Entrance, the choir chants the Cherbubic Hymn. It is a most solemn moment when the Holy Gifts are brought before the people and we hear the words, “Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. Continue Reading... »
Metropolitan Methodios' Christmas Reflection 2018
Christmas has arrived once again to re-ignite our souls and to replicate in our hearts the blessed joy and hope which were experienced by the Magi and the shepherds that first silent night, that first holy night in Bethlehem. Christmas comes so that we may experience the tenderness and love of Almighty God who stoops down to our limitations, our weaknesses and our sins. Continue Reading... »
Metropolitan Methodios' Paschal Reflection
In our life’s journey, we travel through the desert of this world as did the people of Israel from their Egyptian captivity to the promised land. In Israel’s Passover, we recognize the symbol of a far greater journey. Continue Reading... »
Christmas Reflection of Metropolitan Methodios
We live in a world of constant turmoil, of financial crisis, of poverty and unemployment, of disillusionment and uncertainty, of confusion and unrest, of pain and suffering. War rages in that part of the world where Christianity flourished for centuries but now is inhabited by only a handful of faithful. Thousands of refugees continue to flee their homelands for far-away countries that are not always welcoming. On a daily basis, we are inundated with news of one crisis after another, of one suicide bomber after another. It is to such a world that the newborn Savior comes this Christmas to bring “Peace on Earth and goodwill among men.” Continue Reading... »
Archpastoral Reflection on Tragedy in Greece
Daily, those of us who have access to Greek television broadcasts are horrified by the unspeakable human tragedy occurring in Greece. It is reported that over 100,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim countries – ravaged by war and internal strife – have been forced to leave their homelands in search for a better life in Europe. Continue Reading... »
A Christmas Reflection from Metropolitan Methodios
Again this Christmas, the Savior of the World comes wrapped in swaddling clothes to be born in the manger of our hearts to bring us joy and peace. He who lays in the manger is God Himself who comes “to visit us who are mired in darkness and shadow.” (Christmas Exapostelarion) Continue Reading... »
Metropolitan Methodios' 2015 Paschal Remarks
Paschal Reflection of Metropolitan Methodios Continue Reading... »
2014 Christmas Reflection by Metropolitan Methodios
Please click to view the 2014 Christmas Reflection by Metropolitan Methodios in English and Greek. Continue Reading... »
Archpastoral Remarks of Metropolitan Methodios - Easter Vigil 2014
Christmas Reflection by Metropolitan Methodios
Following is Metropolitan Methodios' Christmas Reflection in both English and Greek. Continue Reading... »