BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Dear Rev. Frs., Matushki and Faithful,

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, proclaiming the present mystery; for He has broken the middle wall of partition, and the flaming spear will turn about, and the cherubim will admit all to the tree of life. As for me, I will return to enjoy the bliss of paradise from which I was driven away before, by reason of iniquity; for the likeness of the Father, and the Person of His Eternity, which it is impossible to change has taken the likeness of a Servant, coming from a Mother who has not known wedlock; free from transubstantiation, since He remained as Hewas, true God, and took what had not been, having become Man for His love of mankind. Wherefore, let us lift our voices unto Him crying, O Thou Who was born of the Virgin, O God, have mercy upon us. (Idiomelon By Germanus from Great Vespers on the Eve of the Nativity)

Have a blessed Feast of the Nativity and a Joyous New Year! May our Lord bless you with good health, length of days and a happy and peaceful New Year!

Yours in Christ,

+ Mark

Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office