OCA Chancery
Syosset, New York
To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America
Dearly beloved,
Christ Is Born! Glorify Him!
With love I embrace you as we enter the Feast of our Savior’s Nativity. The uncreated light of this day guides us to the humble manger from where the Lord of Glory presides over all creation.
Today we celebrate the mystery of new and eternal life. God has become man so man may become God. Indeed, this is the core of the Good News brought to the shepherds by the heavenly hosts. This is the Good News that proclaims the great and high calling of every human being.
Today we celebrate the renewal of creation. The Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, becomes the Son of Man uniting in Himself “things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). Through Him a new creation is being born. Through Him those who sit in the darkness of sin and death are called to arise and enter the purifying light of immortality.
Today, let us share the fruits of the Feast with the entire world. For it is only by sharing the joy and healing power of this joyous day that others will stand with us in proclaiming and glorifying the birth of the only begotten Son of God.
On behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, I extend to you and your families our warmest wishes for a most joyous celebration of our Lord’s Nativity.
With love in the newborn Christ,
+ Metropolitan THEODOSIUS
and the Members of the Holy Synod of Bishops