MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS

FOR CHRIST'S RESURRECTION 2001

Dear fathers, my beloved in Christ children,

Christ is risen!

      We celebrate the death of death and the beginning of eternal life. The hymns of Church, dedicated to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ give an answer to the most crucial problem of the humankind, which is the mystery of death. The feast of the feasts, the Holy Easter, signifies that the biological death is not the end, but the beginning, and that all of us will be resurrected with our Lord. Death cannot beat us any more, as a result of the victory of the Master of life, Jesus Christ!

      Death is the most important issue that deeply concerns the mankind. That is because if there is nothing after death, like the materialistic way of life provided - advertised in our days believes, then there would be no meaning to fight for good, for love, for living!

      The Orthodox Church presents Jesus Christ, who disclosed himself to us, suffered the pain of death and the Cross for our sins, and went to Hades in order to bring salvation to each one of us. The Resurrection is not a historical fact that happened only once. It takes place in our life each time we listen and obey His words and teaching, each time we disclose our inner thoughts and sins to Him, love our brothers and sisters and believe in eternity. It is a personal matter, because Jesus Christ will resurrect each one that will pursue to develop a close and real relationship with Him!

      Science and technology progress rapidly and find answers to crucial questions, such as the decoding of the human DNA, the cure of diseases and the improvement of the quality of life, but still cannot beat the biological death. Only the faith in the resurrected Lord, the close relationship with Him and His Church and hence His love and Holy Grace will give death its real meaning, which is the passover from mortality to immortality, from sadness to happiness and true and never-ending life! Let us feel and understand this message; let us be sure about the love of the Victor of death Jesus Christ that we receive through out communion with Him! Christ is risen!

With my Easter blessings and in Christ's love,

 

The Bishop Ignatios of Holy Metropolis of Demetrias

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MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS

FOR THE NEW YEAR 2001

Dear fathers, brothers, sisters, my beloved children in Christ,

Every new year gives us the opportunity for changes; the new millennium brings the need for a better world, in which we are going to have a hope for a better life!

      Our soul and our metamorphosis is a challenge in the new millennium. It is difficult to succeed sometimes, due to sins; we keep on losing the point of life, losing the faith and remorse that the Holy Gospel preaches, fighting with each other.

      But also our society is called to find solutions to problems that are growing even huger, while bravery and self-criticism can not be found. The real connection between the members of the family, the solution to the demographical problem, the promotion of our spiritual identity, will help us build the proper European reality; dealing with problems like drugs, environmental catastrophe, unemployment, is important and valuable this new year!

      Church is not going to stop; we have to pray for ourselves, but also for everyone else, while our faith to God makes us feel pain for the bad things that lead people to sin, for whatever makes people be in misery.

      Our only hope for the new year, is only Christ. We find peace near Him, but we also get strength. We pray to Him for the best of the whole world!

      God bless us! Happy New Year!

With my best blessings,

† THE BISHOP OF DEMETRIAS IGNATIOS