Holy Synod releases Pastoral Letter on Emancipation Proclamation
On Tuesday, October 23, 2012, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America released a Pastoral Letter marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Expressing concern for human trafficking and related issues today, the members of the Holy Synod note that, “as the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation draws near, Orthodox Christians in the United States understand that our freedom in Christ compels us to come closer to the world that we are to serve, protect, heal and transfigure. The Church cannot ignore God’s world—God’s creation. She cannot ignore God’s people, especially those deprived of their freedom.”
The complete text of the Pastoral Letter may be accessed in PDF format.