Archpastoral Letter from Archbishop Alexy For Great Lent - March 3/February 18, 2014

To the beloved clergy, religious, and faithful of the Russian True Orthodox Church Archdiocese of North America–mercy, peace and love be yours in ever-greater measure.

Today, the Church asks us to take our annual journey on the path to self-discovery and renewal.  We are asked to look at our lives over the past year, or several years, and as if we are the person that we truly want to be.  More importantly, we need to ask ourselves if we are the person that Our Lord wants us to be,

It’s so easy to wander off the path to salvation.  Life offers us so many distractions.  Every day we are pulled in multiple directions, and these little tugs and missteps can make us lose our way.  It doesn’t usually happen all at once.  But little by little we find ourselves moving farther away from our desired course. 

Knowing how easily we are swayed from the path of righteousness the Church gives us this sacred time every year to change course.  We are called upon today to look at ourselves openly and honestly and ask if we are the person today that we truly want to be.  These days are given to us as a chance to leave the old person behind and step joyfully into a new reality—one which brings us closer to the Lord, and closer to one another.

When we look in the mirror on the day of the Resurrection may we see the person that we want to be, and may others see that person in us as well.

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

Sincerely in Christ,