Christmas Epistle
from Metropolitan Vitaly
First Hierarch
of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Christ is Born, Glorify Him!
Each of the Great Orthodox Festivals contains within itself both its historical origins, and also, most importantly, the annual repetition of its Divine Grace together with all its inherent power.
The Almighty Lord Himself is born among us in miraculous fashion from the Ever-Virgin Mary with the human name of Jesus, and following the ancient custom another name is added, expressing the hopes of the parents as to what their child will become in life. In this case He was called the Christ, meaning "He who is anointed by God," sent by God for our eternal salvation. Many people then decided that He would be their Saviour from diseases, from disasters and grief. Not one person could have thought, other than the Mother of God Herself, that Her Son would be the Saviour from sin, from the eternal death of hell.
So now there is no other name upon earth besides that of Jesus Christ which man can call upon, and so be saved from eternal death. Each of us must try in his life to follow in the steps of our great teacher, the God-Man Jesus Christ, as far as his strength permits, and always only while seeking the help of His Divine Grace.
Metropolitan Vitaly
Nativity of Christ, 2001
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