March 6/February 21, 2006

To the beloved clergy, monastics and faithful of the Russian True Orthodox Church Archdiocese of North America—mercy and peace be yours.

            In the epistle lesson for Cheesefare Sunday, St. Paul tells us that now is the time to wake from sleep, for the time of salvation is at hand (Rom. 13:11).  He speaks to us in these words to call us from the spiritual slumber that we can so easily fall into during the course of the year.  We read this lesson at this particular time of year to remind ourselves that we are, once again, given a great opportunity to work toward our salvation with the coming of the Great Fast.

            Today we are called upon to walk the path of righteousness that will lead us to a blessed Pascha.  As we embark upon our journey, we take with us the tools of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  All of these spiritual tools are great helps to us on our journey, but we must also be sure not to allow them to become sources of pride or judgment toward our brother or sister.  We must remember to pray, fast and give alms only for the eyes of the Lord and not turn our eyes to what our neighbor is doing.

            Most importantly, we must use these days as a time of forgiveness.  This is a time at which our thoughts often turn to those ways in which we have fallen short in the past year.  It is a time when we seek forgiveness for the wrongs we have done.  But it is also a time when we must extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us.  We cannot truly hope to be forgiven until we empty ourselves of those things that keep us from forgiving others.  Then, and only then, can we stand before the God of mercy and forgiveness and rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection.

            May these days bring us ever closer to the joy of the Resurrection and may our lives be filled with grace and peace.

            With the bestowal of my archiepiscopal blessing upon you, I remain

                                                                       Sincerely in Christ,

                                                                       +ALEXY

                                                                       Archbishop of Minneapolis & Chicago