Message for Christmas 2011

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

            The great feast of the Nativity of our Lord calls us all to walk in the ‘newness of life’ in Jesus Christ born in flesh on behalf of us.

            As a stikheron of the feast puts it, ‘The middle wall of partition has been destroyed; the sword of flame turns back’. In His ineffable love towards mankind, the Eternal God becomes one of us as small Infant. By the same, He calls the human beings, torn by conflicts and crises, to hope, peace and reconciliation. If He in His self-negation did not scorn to reconcile creature with Himself, and to call together those far off and those close, how much more should man find reconciliation with his brothers who are of one nature with him?

Let me share with you the joy and grace of the Nativity of Our Lord and let us part, asking your holy prayers,

In Tallinn,
Nativity of Our Lord 2011

                                                           + Stephanos,
Metropolitan of Tallinn and All Estonia