My Beloved the benevolent                        January 2026

Grace and peace, wishing you every goodness and blessings

I am delighted to congratulate you all on the beginning of a new year and the glorious Feast of the Nativity.

Our celebration of the birth of our Lord, our God, and our Savior Jesus Christ is a celebration of a new beginning for the whole world. For this reason, human history is divided into before Christ and after Christ. The birth of Christ illuminated the darkness in which humanity was living as a result of Adam’s fall and the fall of all mankind under the dominion of death, sin, and corruption.

The Lord Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)

The prophet Isaiah prophesied the coming of Christ, saying: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)

The shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night, in the darkness. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'” (Luke 2:9-11)

Saint John says: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” (John 1:9-10). “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18)

The Son of God came into our world and took upon Himself our human nature with a rational soul. He is the incarnate Son of God, perfect in His divinity and perfect in His humanity. He came to preach the gospel of the kingdom and to heal every disease and every infirmity among the people.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied the work of Christ, saying: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Christ came to free us from the bondage of sin, grant us eternal life, and lead us to a life of holiness and perfection. Therefore, He calls us to walk in the light, saying: “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.” (John 12:35) “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:36)

St. John clarifies for us that the way of love is the way of light, and that walking in the light means walking in love: “Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:8-11)

True love is practical love: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) Therefore, Saint John asks: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)

Our God, Christ, came into the world and gave us the example of practical love, and we must follow His example: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

Our celebration of the feast is complete when we achieve practical love towards our needy brethren, whom the Lord calls His brothers. Celebration of the feast is accomplished through doing good deeds.

The Santa Verena Charity programs offer us multiple opportunities for doing good. May the Lord grant us to love one another in deeds and truth.

Happy New Year and happy Nativity Feast to you all.

Metropolitan Serapion