OCA Chancery
Syosset, New York
January 20, 2002
OCA Chancery
Syosset, New York
To the Hierarchs, Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America
Dearly Beloved in the Lord:
We, together with all people of good will, still live in shock and dismay as a result of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. These attacks on thousands of innocent men, women, and children have redefined the very meaning of indiscriminate violence, inhuman brutality, and disrespect for the precious gift of life. At the same time, they have challenged us all the more to proclaim the sanctity of human life and to recommit ourselves to protecting this most sacred gift.
Human life-and therefore the human person-can only be fully understood in relationship to God, the Source and Giver of Life, the One Who is Life Itself. It is the human person, created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), whose life has been destined from all eternity to be holy and blameless (cf. Ephesians 1:4).
Paradoxically, while our society continues to grieve the senseless loss of innocent life witnessed on September 11, it continues to condone the taking of innocent life through abortion. And the increasing interest in and support for the harvesting of human embryos, medically assisted suicide, capital punishment, and related issues provide a frightening image into the ongoing devaluation of the human person and the sacred gift of life.
As Orthodox Christians, we must continue to proclaim and, at this point in history, to proclaim with renewed conviction and commitment, that all life is a participation in and reflection of the One Who is Life Itself. But if we are to transform the collective heart and mind of our society, we must begin by transforming our own hearts and minds. And we must employ every positive means at our disposal to engage those with whom we live, work, and interact to understand that life is indeed a holy gift, one which must never be destroyed for any reason.
Heeding the Gospel, let us remain faithful to the vision of human life as a sacred gift, recommitting ourselves to defending the lives of the unborn, the infirm, the terminally ill, the condemned, and “all mankind,” as we pray at every Divine Liturgy. Through prayer, let us intensify our conviction that every breath and heartbeat is filled with the glory and love of our Creator and strengthen our commitment to reflect in our own lives the image of the Giver of Life. Together, let us struggle with renewed diligence to be examples of the holiness to which every human being is called as well as the divine nature in which every human being is invited to participate (cf. 2 Peter 1:4).
With love in Christ,
+ THEODOSIUS
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada