To the Bishops, priests, monks and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church
Eminent Bishops, Reverend Fathers, venerable monks and nuns, brothers and sisters,
this night light, we relive the joy of meeting the spiritual world with his Savior. We see again in thought the Son of the living God who sleeps in a manger in the cave of Bethlehem. We hear again in our hearts the angelic voice that sings praise to the Creator and Redeemer, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he loves" (Luke 2:14).
careful to praise the heavenly forces, we become aware that the Nativity of Christ is full of timeless significance and an immediate sense for the destiny of every human being. Even those who do not yet know nothing of the sacrifice of the Savior from now on can lead to knowledge of the Truth, become a son of God and inherit eternal life.
remember that the first perfect human being has been shaped by the Creator, in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1, 26). But Adam, having disobeyed the commandment, has altered the intention of the Creator to him. Deprived of a living relationship with God, humanity is increasingly mired in the abyss of sin and pride. Then the Lord, full of love for her child and wishing his salvation, he sent his only Son into the world which restored the fullness of human nature and became the new Adam. Christ gave us the example of a life in conformity to the divine plan for humanity. This example represents the orientation of hope that helps us not to wander and find the only right path that leads to the fullness of life, both in our earthly life and eternity.
We follow this path of salvation to the extent that we answer the call of God calls us One of these is contained in a letter addressed to St. Paul: "Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which belong to God "(1 Corinthians 6, 20). This means that we give thanks to God not only with prayers and singing, but also with good works for the good of our neighbor, for the sake of our people, for the good of the Church.
Such an effort became joyful in the name of Christ, truly transformed the world around us, and even ourselves. People achieve cohesion by working not out of obligation, not for profit, but moved by a sincere desire to do good work and useful. In this way we serve the Creator with putting into practice its will. Λειτουργία The Greek word is translated as "the common work." And our whole life must become liturgy, prayer and common work carried out in order to incarnate in the life God's plan for the world and humanity and in doing so give glory and praise to the Creator. This requires us to solidarity with our brothers and sisters through faith and also with those who have not yet found the Lord in their hearts, but who, like the Magi of the Gospel, are on their way toward him.
The importance of the union of efforts to overcome the sufferings and misfortunes we were shown during the fires, drought and floods last year in Russia and in other countries of Rus' history. Again, the circumstances have reminded us of our duty as Christians to help others, regardless of beliefs, nationality and social situations. During the hot summer months many people have generously shared their forces, their time and their property with others that did not even know and probably will never see. In the name of what they did? In the name of compassion in the face of those who are in trouble, those who suffer deprivation and need help.
Social solidarity and joint efforts to achieve the common goals are not possible unless you overcome selfishness, if we do not strive to turn good, if you refuse to look only to their own needs and interests. The basis of true unity of the Spirit "(Ephesians, 4, 3) there is the law of love that we have inherited from the Savior. The unity of the people can not be limited to times of trial. It must become an inseparable part of our consciousness and our national life.
The strength of unity of the Church I have heard clearly on the occasion of my many travels in the dioceses of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. Everywhere I saw the concern of bishops, clergy, monks and nuns, and laity to work for the good of Orthodoxy, to fine-tune the action of the parishes, monasteries and dioceses. This raises the hope of a successful full development of the life of the Church in a spirit of unity and cooperation.
With all my heart, full of joy, I offer you my best wishes, prominent bishops, priests estimated, members of monastic communities, brothers and sisters, for the great feast of the Nativity of Christ and the saving of the new year. In prayer, I wish everyone to be zealous executors of the will of God, offering spiritual gifts to the Savior of the world born on this day, that his name be glorified at all times, now and ever and ever and ever.
Eminent Bishops, Reverend Fathers, venerable monks and nuns, brothers and sisters,
this night light, we relive the joy of meeting the spiritual world with his Savior. We see again in thought the Son of the living God who sleeps in a manger in the cave of Bethlehem. We hear again in our hearts the angelic voice that sings praise to the Creator and Redeemer, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he loves" (Luke 2:14).
careful to praise the heavenly forces, we become aware that the Nativity of Christ is full of timeless significance and an immediate sense for the destiny of every human being. Even those who do not yet know nothing of the sacrifice of the Savior from now on can lead to knowledge of the Truth, become a son of God and inherit eternal life.
remember that the first perfect human being has been shaped by the Creator, in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1, 26). But Adam, having disobeyed the commandment, has altered the intention of the Creator to him. Deprived of a living relationship with God, humanity is increasingly mired in the abyss of sin and pride. Then the Lord, full of love for her child and wishing his salvation, he sent his only Son into the world which restored the fullness of human nature and became the new Adam. Christ gave us the example of a life in conformity to the divine plan for humanity. This example represents the orientation of hope that helps us not to wander and find the only right path that leads to the fullness of life, both in our earthly life and eternity.
We follow this path of salvation to the extent that we answer the call of God calls us One of these is contained in a letter addressed to St. Paul: "Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which belong to God "(1 Corinthians 6, 20). This means that we give thanks to God not only with prayers and singing, but also with good works for the good of our neighbor, for the sake of our people, for the good of the Church.
Such an effort became joyful in the name of Christ, truly transformed the world around us, and even ourselves. People achieve cohesion by working not out of obligation, not for profit, but moved by a sincere desire to do good work and useful. In this way we serve the Creator with putting into practice its will. Λειτουργία The Greek word is translated as "the common work." And our whole life must become liturgy, prayer and common work carried out in order to incarnate in the life God's plan for the world and humanity and in doing so give glory and praise to the Creator. This requires us to solidarity with our brothers and sisters through faith and also with those who have not yet found the Lord in their hearts, but who, like the Magi of the Gospel, are on their way toward him.
The importance of the union of efforts to overcome the sufferings and misfortunes we were shown during the fires, drought and floods last year in Russia and in other countries of Rus' history. Again, the circumstances have reminded us of our duty as Christians to help others, regardless of beliefs, nationality and social situations. During the hot summer months many people have generously shared their forces, their time and their property with others that did not even know and probably will never see. In the name of what they did? In the name of compassion in the face of those who are in trouble, those who suffer deprivation and need help.
Social solidarity and joint efforts to achieve the common goals are not possible unless you overcome selfishness, if we do not strive to turn good, if you refuse to look only to their own needs and interests. The basis of true unity of the Spirit "(Ephesians, 4, 3) there is the law of love that we have inherited from the Savior. The unity of the people can not be limited to times of trial. It must become an inseparable part of our consciousness and our national life.
The strength of unity of the Church I have heard clearly on the occasion of my many travels in the dioceses of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. Everywhere I saw the concern of bishops, clergy, monks and nuns, and laity to work for the good of Orthodoxy, to fine-tune the action of the parishes, monasteries and dioceses. This raises the hope of a successful full development of the life of the Church in a spirit of unity and cooperation.
With all my heart, full of joy, I offer you my best wishes, prominent bishops, priests estimated, members of monastic communities, brothers and sisters, for the great feast of the Nativity of Christ and the saving of the new year. In prayer, I wish everyone to be zealous executors of the will of God, offering spiritual gifts to the Savior of the world born on this day, that his name be glorified at all times, now and ever and ever and ever.
Kyrill
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Nativity of Christ 2010/2011
(Source: DECR Communication Service: Christmas Message of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kyrill year 2010/2011 published simultaneously in 19 languages \u200b\u200bfrom various countries including the canonical space of the Patriarchate of Moscow, and some others. Among them - Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Moldovans, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Kazakh, Turkmen, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Chinese, English, German, French, Italian, greek).
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