NATIVITY GREETINGS
TO THE CLERGY, MONASTICS, AND LAITY OF THE PATRIARCHAL PARISHES
IN THE USA & CANADA

Venerable Fathers, dear brothers, and sisters!

On this holy night, I wholeheartedly greet and congratulate you all on the great and world-saving feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Once again, contemplating during these festive days the glorious and incomprehensible Mystery of the Incarnation, when "He who was the Only-begotten before all ages, invisible, incomprehensible, bodiless taking on physical form, clothing Himself in the flesh, to be seen tangibly" (St. Gregory of Neocaesarea), we, with awe, reverence, and love, bow down before the Infant lying in the Bethlehem manger, along with the countless heavenly hosts, chanting with tenderness: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14).

By assuming human nature, enduring humiliation, partaking in earthly suffering, the Lord revealed His Divine love to all of us and extended His saving hand, “bestowing unto us exceedingly great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). By opening His arms to each of us today and showing the path to salvation, the Lord calls us to faith, love, mercy, and compassion, for if we demonstrate true love for our neighbors, performing good deeds, we too can emulate Him and draw closer to our Creator.

My dearest in the Lord, congratulating all of you on the great and joyous feast of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year, rejoicing together with you, I prayerfully wish you a prosperous and peaceful life, both spiritually and physically, success in your labors and good endeavors.

May the Christ Child, born of God, enlighten us with the Light of Truth and grant us the opportunity to deeply feel His presence in our lives.

I invoke upon all of you God’s blessing.

With love in Christ who is Born,

+MATTHEW
Bishop of Sourozh
Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes
in the USA and Canada

Nativity of Christ
2023/2024