My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

I pray that everyone has a healthy, peaceful, and rewarding New Year. This is the time that many people make New Year’s resolutions, so let’s try to make 2008 a very special, spiritually rewarding year. Let us resolve to intensify our prayer life, attend the divine services regularly, and do good works, all of which will ultimately lead to our salvation.

We have a very holy feast day this month, the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It was at this time that the Holy Spirit was seen in the form of a dove hovering over our Lord while He was being baptized. And many heard thunder and a loud voice saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matt. 17:6). This was the beginning of Christ’s ministry on Earth. We commemorate this great institution of Holy Baptism with the Great Blessing of the Waters. On this day we bless water for you to drink and to bless your homes with.

On January 30, we celebrate the feast of the Three Hierarchs, known in the West as the three great doctors of the Church (theologians): St. John Chrysostom, whose liturgy we use most Sundays; St. Basil the Great, who founded the monastic institutions; and St. Gregory the Theologian, a great writer of the early Church.

Finally, I want to remind you to be very careful when taking Communion. Step up close, cross your hands in front of your chest, tilt your head back slightly, and open your mouth, and I will drop the Sacrament in your mouth.

I wish all of you a blessed and spiritually prosperous 2008.

With much love in Christ,
Fr. Philip