This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about the Incarnation of the Son of God and the genealogy of Jesus. What does Emmanuel mean? And how does He change history? Also, what does Jesus being born in a manger have to do with Holy Communion?

 

Χριστὸς Γεννᾶται! Δοξάσατε!

 

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

Christ is Born! Let us glorify Him!

Although He comes to us in humility, in swaddling clothes and in poverty, He is the powerful Rod of the Root of Jesse. In assuming our human nature from his Most Holy Mother the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, He bears all the suffering and sin of humanity across all the ages. What strength in this Rod! What glory in His powerful love for every creature!

In the spirit of giving, the Department of Religious Education (DRE) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd Greek Edition of its renowned Sermon Series. The DRE is kicking off its Nativity Sermon Series this year in Greek.

Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) is thrilled to announce that we will be expanding our event with an additional day. HDF 2024 will be held January 11th-15th. 

Welcome to your Archdiocese this evening for our annual Christmas Open House. I am delighted that so many of you have come to join your brothers and sisters who labor in this beloved institution, and to share in the festive season that communicates God’s love for all people.

Yesterday, December 18, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended The Cathedral School's Christmas Concert at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Presvytera Melanie DiStefano shares a reflection on Chapter 1 of the Gospel of John, as it related to the Nativity Season, Caregiving, and learning to serve Christ in every person we encounter. 

At the 2023 Metropolis of Chicago Community Christmas Celebration, the room was filled with good moods, music sung by carolers, and a philanthropic spirit. Thank you to all who attended or participated in preparing for the event.

More students will be able to participate in AHEPA’s Journey to Greece program thanks to $70,000 raised at a fundraiser held at The Graycliff, Moonachie, N.J., Dec. 17, 2023 , announced Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos. More than 200 people attended.

With the grace of God, we are once again this year celebrating in chant, hymn, and spiritual song the Nativity according to the flesh of the pre-eternal Son and Word of God, namely the manifestation of the mystery of God and humankind. According to St. Nicholas Cabasilas, what occurs in the Divine Liturgy is “the mystagogy of the Lord’s incarnation,” while its introductory acclamation “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” is evidence “that it is through the Lord’s incarnation that people first learned that God is three persons.”[1] The same saintly Father proclaims that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the first and only to demonstrate the authentic and perfect human being, concerning His ethos, life, and everything else.”[2]

Please find below: Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Christmas from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in both in Greek and English.

English:

With the grace of God, we are once again this year celebrating in chant, hymn, and spiritual song the Nativity according to the flesh of the pre-eternal Son and Word of God, namely the manifestation of the mystery of God and humankind...

Ἄνωθεν εὐδοκίᾳ ἑορτάζομεν καί ἐφέτος ἐν ψαλμοῖς καί ὕμνοις καί ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς τήν κατά σάρκα Γέννησιν τοῦ προαιωνίου Υἱοῦ καί Λόγου τοῦ Θεοῦ, τήν φανέρωσιν δηλονότι τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τοῦ ἀνθρώπου...

On December 9th, Philoxenia House was visited by several parishes in the Metropolis of Boston to learn more about the ministries offered by the Metropolis in the greater Boston area:

The St. Nicholas parish of Manchester, New Hampshire, was blessed on Sunday, December 10th, by an Archpastoral visit from Metropolitan Methodios. His Eminence spoke lovingly to the parish, observing and highlighting the congregational singing and sense of community between members.