« CHRISTMAS MESSAGE of Bishop Elisey of Sourozh »

to the Pastors and all Faithful Children of the Diocese of Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Church

Dearly beloved in the Lord, honourable pastors and God-loving laypeople, dear brothers and sisters!

By the mercy of God we have once again come to the celebration of the holy and joyful feast of the birth on earth of the Saviour of the world, the incarnate Son of God. On this momentous day we hear the good news “of the amazing self-abasement of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”, when, according to the words of St Philaret of Moscow, “we see Him, diminishing Himself to the age of a baby, making Himself of no reputation, even unto lying in a manger.”

The Lord, Who in the beginning according to His love placed Man higher than all creation, did not cease to love him when Man, rejecting love divine and thereby falling into sin, decided to build his life without God. Becoming incarnate on earth, the Lord gave to humanity which had departed from Him everything necessary for its renewal. “It is not you, who have sinned, who have come to God, but rather the Son of God, against Whom you sinned, that has come to you! He calls all to Himself, He grants forgiveness to all who thirst for it” – so writes St John of Shanghai.

The return of lost humanity to the embrace of the loving God which was accomplished on the night of the Nativity was indeed a source of great joy for the whole creation. “Angels joined the choirs of men, men had fellowship with the angels, and with the other powers above: …. and angels to earth continually descending, and hope abundant touching things to come”. – exclaims St John Chrysostom.

Today we also together with the angelic hosts worship the divine Christ child lying in the manger and sing the heavenly doxology: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men!” (Lk. 2: 13-14).

On this holy day I warmly congratulate all of you on the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. Let us thank God for the time given to us for accumulating divine grace and discovering the spiritual experience of salvation in Jesus Christ. May the New Year be for us a year of the good favour of God, a time of prayer, of strengthening in faith and love, of prospering in virtue and of accord with the good and perfect will of God.

+ ELISEY

BISHOP OF SOUROZH

The Nativity of Christ 2009/10 London