Pastoral Message from the January Beacon
01/01/2025
Dear Faithful and Friends of the Assumption,
As we enter into the new year, we not only are completing a prior year, but our first 100 years as a parish. The Assumption is 100 years old! We have been truly blessed to be of the Faith established by Christ and His Apostles—the faith that the Acts of the Apostles is written about and to which the letters (epistles) of the New Testament were written. The Faith that stands unchanged almost 2000 years later and is the only growing Christian Church growing in this present age. We are not of “A faith,” but of “The Faith.”
As a parish, we not only stand upon the great tradition of the Holy Fathers of our Faith, but upon the shoulders of the “Fathers” of our Assumption—all of the great men and women that planted our parish and worked tirelessly to create a community. So many that sacrificed for the first, second and third temples of our community so that their children and grandchildren would have a home and a family. For many without progeny, they sacrificed for the good of the community that all those searching for the Truth may have a place of worship in Louisville.
What makes all of this so pertinent and timely is that we are called on to do likewise today. As we look back at the prior century, we also look ahead to the century that we now inaugurate. In this first year of our 2nd century, we will commence the building of a building to house our fellowship, religious education and outreach ministries. We will further build upon the legacy of the great founders of our parish. By continuing to build upon the foundation they set, we honor their legacy. One day, those who follow this generation will honor our sacrifices as they are edified in the home that we have continued to build. Many who have not yet even heard of Orthodoxy will come to the faith through the sacred work that we embark on today.
I know that it is difficult to appreciate these defining moments in our history as they are occurring—it may even be difficult to recognize that we are in such a moment—but there is no doubt that 2025 will be a shining moment in the history of our Blessed Assumption. It will be a year of sacrifice, hard work, and moments of weakness as we tire ourselves in this blessed venture; but it will also be a year replete with blessings in which our efforts will be multiplied for this generation and those to follow!
Praying that the Lord continue to bless each of us in 2025 with the fullness of health!
Fr. Jon