February 23, 2004 To the beloved clergy, religious, and faithful of the Russian True Orthodox Church Diocese of North America–mercy, peace and love be yours in ever-greater measure. As we begin the season of the Great Fast, the story of creation is recounted to us in the first reading of vespers (Gen. 1:1-13). We hear the wondrous story of how God created the earth and everything it contains and proclaimed its goodness. We hear of the creation of the human race in the image and likeness of God and how man was given dominion over all things on the earth. And while this creation was “very good”, we know that it did not remain in this state. Through temptation and sin, paradise was lost and the perfect image dwelling in man was tarnished. It was now, not within the ability of human beings to restore that image, try as they might. They would have to await t he coming of the Savior – God become man, born into the world, crucified and raised from the dead. Through his sacrifice we would, once again, be able to attain paradise, but it would not be easy. As we all know, our lives are filled with a series of struggles and falls. We aim for the good, but sometimes falter along the way. And so, we come into this holy season with the reminder that we can and must berecreated in the image and likeness of God. The lenten season gives us theopportunity to look at the road upon which we’ve walked and to change our pathif need be. It’s a time of renewal, of revitalization, of allowing ourselves togrow more and more perfectly into that divine image in which we were created. We, of course, know that this is no easy road. We need guidance. We need help. We ask how do we continue on the path that leads to salvation? And we find some advice in the Book of Proverbs. We need to receive the words of the Lord willingly and treasure his commands. Turn our ears to wisdom and incline our hearts to understanding. In brief, we need to keep our hearts open to what the Lord wants to tell us in our lives and always be willing to change. In remaining open to him, as we hear in Proverbs, “The Knowledge of God [we] will find” (Prov. 2:5) This is our task this season. This is our challenge–to look honestly at ourselves and to discover the ways in which we might have allowed the image and likeness of God dwelling within us to be tarnished. Having accomplished that, we need to take the positive steps necessary to restore that image. And this may not be easy. Honesty is often difficult. But it’s only through this process that we can repair our broken lives and progress on our journey to God. This opportunity is given to us each year to remind us that we are all in need of repentance and conversion. And to remind us that there is nothing that can’t be forgiven and no one who can’t be redeemed. If we open hearts to the Lord during this season and allow him to lead us, then as we walk toward the day of the Resurrection we will emerge renewed and this time will have been a profitable one for us. May none of us emerge on Easter the same as we were when we entered the fast. Rather may we be new creations shining brightly with the image of God reflected in each and every one our lives. With the bestowal of my episcopal blessing upon all of you, I remain Sincerely in Christ,
February 23, 2004