MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS

FOR CHRISTMAS 2000

Dear fathers, my beloved in Christ children,

We celebrate, at the beginning of the new millennium, the continuous way of two thousand years of our Lord to Bethlehem, for a new world. We celebrate our rescue from sin and death, by giving to the new-born Jesus, whatever each one of us can, and by getting the name of salvation from Him.

      All the nature and beings of the universe thank You; the angels with humns; the sky with the star; the magi with the presents; the shepherds with the miracle; the earth with the cave; the desert with the crib; us with the virgin Mary. People, simple like shepherds, wise like magi, but with faith and knowledge, give You their humble or expensive presents, give to the Lord such honour and love, that the powerful people of the world are not going to give. And Christ always calls each one of us, to give Him our heart, our mind, our life, so He can transform it, with the way He knows; the way of salvation, love, unity; the way of Church.

      Nowadays we become witnesses of that expectation of the universe, but also of the people, for peace and salvation. The environment suffers from the avid act of the unhesitating powerful human beings; the born Lord, who is our only hope for salvation, calls us to walk with remorse, simplicity and faith. We have to realize that if we don't use our environment as our presents to Lord, if we don't use it with love, we are going to destroy ourselves very soon.

      Let's consider that He became a man, in order to make us able to receive God inside us, free of sin! So let's consider of a new way of life, with love and remorse!

      Let the born Lord transform our hearts!

With blessings and wishes,

 

The Bishop Ignatios of Holy Metropolis of Demetrias

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MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS

FOR CHRIST'S RESURRECTION 2000

Dear fathers, my beloved in Christ children,

Holy Easter... The most cheerful message, which excites us and gives to our life a real meaning. Our world is enlightened, the death is defeated. We live because we believe in the resurrected Christ, our Lord, who gives us the answer to the search of a way of life which cannot be damaged.

      For 2000 years this message acts in secret, making the world better. For 2000 years we find the people who help everyone who is in need, we find people who pray for a better world, rising their cross without saying a word, fighting for the real freedom against the wickedness and passions which lead to death.

      The Church always calls us to get the real Light and fill our souls with joy and salvation, giving by our Lord. The Resurrection of Christ is the unique and authentic Revolution of Hope and Life and makes the beginning of a new Life, the eternal Life, which starts with the song that all of us sing and want to taste with Him: "Christ is Risen!"

With my Easter blessings,

 

The Bishop Ignatios of Holy Metropolis of Demetrias

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MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS

FOR THE NEW YEAR 2000

The beginning of a New Year means a new opportunity for reorientation of our direction. The best use of time is to be able to use it properly, so as to improve ourselves, to make new dreams in relation to our merits and values.

      But this New Year, beyond the personal direction of each person, has a deeper meaning for the whole world. We celebrate the completion of 2000 years from the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and His presence in our lives. However, although the Holy Gospel is made public all over the world, where love and sacrifice seem to have no particular importance, it is exceptionally essential to approach Him and lay our problems and thoughts on His Love. He is the only Hope for our Salvation!

      Therefore, the beginning of the New Year must be the beginning of our change, through which we will get ourselves closer to God and His Church, and through which we will be able to feel that God is next to us and is always willing to help us. So let us try harder for more love, freedom from sin, so as we feel our personal change.

      God bless us! Happy New Year!

With my best blessings for the New Year,

† THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS