Theophilestatous Bishops, Reverend Hierarchical Heads
Most honorable Lords, Honorable Presidents and Honorable Members
of Administrators. Of Boards, Poor Brotherhoods, Teachers, Teachers,
Students, Youth of the Communities and all the pious crew of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
"Yesterday and today he and in the centuries"
(Heb. 13.8)
Archbishop of Canada Sotiriou
Houses. Δρόµοι. Clothes. Furniture. People. Everything is getting older. Everything wears out. They bear the traces of the passage of time. The Testimony of constant change and wear. Yesterday was new. Treated today. Old tomorrow.
The abusive child becomes a mature man with gray temples. Yesterday's mature woman, she is now a respected old woman. Everything succumbs to the inexhaustible energy of time. The earth is getting older. And the universe is slowly getting older. One one says "yesterday and today he and in the centuries". He is the creator of everything and time. It is the Ion that rules time. It is God. "Indestructible, unaltered, αεί ων, as well as ». Over the years, of the centuries, of millennia It is eternally possible. Untouched by wear. Constantly young.
Man, you see the wear and tear and you are sorry. Your years are gone and you are anxious. The forces of your body recede and it costs you. Your friends and relatives are leaving this world and you are disappointed. You count the years as your own. You look in the mirror. You see your hair fall out or turn white. Wrinkles should be installed irrevocably on your face. You are sad about everything. You go up the stairs and gasp. The legs are cut off. Different emotions and situations dominate your soul. Your eyes and your thoughts become sorrowful, of wear.
All this by human standards is natural. They do not matter to the Christian. He knows that he does not belong to time. It does not give in to wear. His body, Yes. But his soul, no. Renovated "like an eagle its youth". Even his body in the Second Coming of Christ, will be incorruptible.
Near God no one is young, nor old man, nor strong, nor sick. He is only human. Man created to live forever. The years that pass are not just years that wear out. They are stairs, that bring him closer to the eternal and indestructible. They reduce the distance from the meeting with Him. They are approaching the time of His triumphant coming to resurrect you. Let it burn incorruptible. To introduce you to the true joy of His kingdom.
Christians, You are not children. Do not expect time to bring you wealth and happiness. Positions and positions. Cosmic glory, view and download. Time is lifeless. Blind. He has nothing in his hands. God holds everything in His hands and you. You will bring in time and in yourself. God will give you.
The wear and tear of time should not worry you. The damage you cause is devastating. And our deterioration can be done by deed or inaction. The perpetrator in practice and in practice destroys. The impractical in practice, but inactivity wears out. Only the creative creates. Improves. It builds and does not crumble. Ή breaks down the bad to build the good.
"Everything flows". Everything changes. One and only is the unchangeable and incorruptible. God. "Yesterday and today he and in the centuries". The origin of man is heavenly. Aunt. Close to God you are also eternal. Time seems to teach.
The coronavirus has changed many things. He brought some of them to an end. In death. Only God knows where they went and where they are. We wish to be close to Him.
As we enter the new year 2022 all of us to think seriously. The coronavirus does not play. Let us not be smart. To follow the instructions of our governments, as long as they do not contradict the doctrine of our Church. To follow the example of our Patriarch. To submit to the decisions of the Holy Synod. To be "like a string on a guitar". One is the Church. It is a family. All together around our Patriarch and the Holy Synod.
Eternal and change God, So that "Your years will not disappear" giving you the new year, give wisdom to understand, that he should not expect goods from time, but you can create goods over time. Give me peace and tranquility of soul. Give us the power to overcome our evil self. Do not give in to guilt. To do good. To love enemies and friends. Forgive everyone. "Year after year live within You". Bring Ias near You.
With paternal love and warm wishes in Christ Tehdenti
THE ARCHBISHOP
CANADA SAVIOR