NEW YEARS GREETINGS FROM OUR PRESIDING METROPOLITAN

 

Metropolitan Archbishop ++Rogelio (Cruz), OSB, of Manila and Luzon

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +

May the peace of the Lord Jesus our Incarnated Savior and Redeemer be with you all! 

Dear brothers and sisters: Today, we welcome the new year AD2025. It is a grace that the Lord God has given us to see another year in our lives. May it be filled with peace and blessings for all of us. I know everyone has so much to look forward to this year, including our desires and what we want to achieve for ourselves and our families. 

Amid confusion caused by new beliefs, or ideologies, that we see on social media that are contrary to the Christian values ​​that we firmly hold as a Church, I am begging you, brothers, that now more than ever we must be diligent in our participation in the life of the church; in prayer, and the liturgical life, so that we can obtain the grace of God and his important guidance, so that amid the complicated course of this current world, we can remain faithful to our faith. Let us live the life of love and service, to God and neighbors and work together as brothers and sisters, after all, we are truly sons and daughters of only one God. This will lead our Church to growth and surely become established as a living and vibrant community that will deliver the Good News everywhere through words and action from the very example of our lives.

What we have gone through in the past year has not been easy. However, let us remain firm on our ground, carrying the hope of the birth of Emmanuel who is the God who lives with us. May this truth continue to encourage us and bring us new strength in our journey in this New Year.

Greetings of love and peace for all of our brethren in different parts of the world, especially our brothers and sisters in the World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches, who like us are fostering the Orthodox Catholic faith, that was handed to us by our fathers in the faith. The faith that was preached, believed and lived out for thousands of years before us. And we have endeavored to keep, and propagate in our time and beyond.

Whatever our present situation may be, there is one thing the Church invites us to focus on in this new year – God’s blessings! “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Amen.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all of us!

++ Rogelio 

Presiding Metropolitan

The Orthodox Archdiocese of America

The Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Philippines