In detail, the message of the Archbishop of Albania for Christmas
Peace is not just a wish, it is a divine gift and an achievement of man’s cooperation with God, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania emphasizes in his message for Christmas 2022.
“The radiation of divine grace is a given, human effort expected. The orthodox Christian experience refers to a multifaceted peace with ourselves, with our fellow human beings, with God, with creation. Christmas condenses in a seed in a prophetic context the great truths, which unfold completely in the life of Christ, culminate in the Passion and Resurrection and are projected by the Church in great holidays“, he says, among other things.
In detail, the message of the Archbishop of Albania for Christmas:
“God of peace, Father of mercies,
of your great council Angelon,
peace granted, you sent us·»
(Descents of the Christmas holiday)
The desire for peace has recently become a daily pain, cry and plea of ​​millions of people.
Endless suffering reigns from Russia’s pernicious, unacceptable war against Ukraine. At the same time, military conflicts continue in Syria, Yemen and in general in Asia and Africa, while terrorist acts are frequent in populous western urban centers.
Wars of other forms, economic, diplomatic, ideological, have not ceased to afflict the world.
Violence and arbitrariness even desecrated sacred places. The interests of the variously powerful use disinformation as a weapon of war, to enslave the thinking and consciousness of many.
The celebration of Christmas not only emphasizes the demand and desire for peace, but also reveals how it can be established. The coming of the Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ, which is greeted with the angelic hymn
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, prosperity to men” (Lk. 2:14), is the realization of the prophecy of Isaiah (8th century BC): “that a child is born to us, …and his name is called great wise angel, wonderful counselor, mighty God, ruler, prince of peace, father of the future age; …and of his peace there is no limit…(Is. 9:6-7).
Peace is not just a wish, it is a divine gift and an achievement of man’s cooperation with God.
The radiation of divine grace is a given, human effort expected. The orthodox Christian experience refers to a multifaceted peace with ourselves, with our fellow human beings, with God, with creation.
Christmas condenses in a seed in a prophetic context the great truths, which unfold completely in the life of Christ, culminate in the Passion and Resurrection and are projected by the Church on great holidays.
At first sight the opposite of peace is seen to be war. I am convinced that the opposite of peace is at heart self-centeredness, in its various forms, arrogance, pride, selfishness, megalomania.
He destroys relations between people and nations and incites small and large conflicts.
In the light of the Nativity of Christ, it is also clarified that self-centeredness is overcome with love and humility, which are fundamental prerequisites for the establishment of peace.
The heart of the Christian message is that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The expressions of love defined by the Christian faith constantly radiate in the face of Jesus Christ and those who faithfully follow Him. As Saint Maximus the confessor insists:
“Many have said a lot about love, but if you look for it, you will find it only in the disciples of Christ, because only they had true Love, a teacher of love” (On love IV Hundred, 100).
The Son and Word of God did not become man in order to give us a general vague theory of love, but to reveal it while living among us. To illuminate with the light of theognosis the truth that “God is love, and he who abides in love in God abides and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16). The beam of love’s light contains the whole range of virtues. Justice, kindness, gentleness, truth, basic prerequisites for the consolidation of peace.
The Almighty and Incomprehensible Son and Word of God assumes, according to His infinite mercy, human nature, in order to exalt it in a way unimaginable to the human mind to deification by grace.
The God-man came as an infant, as an innocent child and with His whole life and sacrifice, he exhorts “Learn from me that I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29).
“… From knowledge of God, led to light…».
With feelings of gratitude for the amazing light of divine knowledge, which our Lord Jesus Christ gives us with His birth, let us glorify Him by developing peace, with ourselves, with our fellow men, with God, and let us strive to be His accomplices , at the command “Blessed are the peacemakers, that these sons of God are called». (Matt. 5:9).
Merry Christmas! Peaceful, with unshakable health, the New Year!
Anastasios
Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all of Albania
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
