Annunciation of the Theotokos

A spiritual message from Metropolitan Alexios:

“Today is the beginning of our salvation,

And the revelation of the eternal mystery!

The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin

As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.

Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:

"Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!"

Troparion of the Annunciation

I greet you with joy and love in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the glorious Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, one of the greatest and most ancient Feast Days of our Church, dedicated to the Mother of God, our most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. This wonderful Feast Day was already being celebrated in the fourth century, and there is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacombs dating from the second century. This is one of the twelve great Feast Days because on this day both heaven and earth were changed, when the Virgin Mary said yes to God's astonishing revelation that God the Son should be born as a man into this world. It is inconceivable that a Being who is the Creator of everything should have the desire to become human. Yet this is just what God did, by the assistance of a young girl. Thus there are actually two parts to the Annunciation: God’s message of salvation and love and the response of the Virgin. This is the miracle of salvation that we celebrate on March 25.

For the Virgin Mary's response to the angel's message was straightforward: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.” She didn’t ask for more time to consider, or to consult her parents or her betrothed. Quite simply and knowing all the circumstances, she said ‘yes' to God and accepted all the consequences. Thus we see the Virgin Mary as an example of obedience for us - the first Christian disciple. For obedience is more than just doing what we are told, it is the recognition that we are not totally autonomous and separate individuals and that ultimately we belong to God and each other. As servants of the Lord, our obedience consists not only being aware of but more importantly responding to God's call to a renewed commitment to a more Christ-centered life.

Perhaps the critical question is how we respond when God does call us. Sometimes He calls us in ways that turn our whole lives upside down and inside out – sometimes He calls us through our familiar everyday routine, our families and our obligations, seeing there opportunities to grow in faith, humility and love toward one another.

As we lift up our hearts together in prayer to the Mother of God, may we follow her blessed example and respond with simplicity, honesty and love to our God when He calls us: “Here am I. the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.” 

I remain

Prayerfully yours with paternal love in Christ, 

+ALEXIOS 

Metropolitan of Atlanta 

Advent Message From Metropolitan Alexios

Advent Message 

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios 

“Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1

As we begin the blessed season of the Nativity Fast or Advent, the beginning of our preparation for the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Logos (Word) of God, it seems as if the entire universe is joining us in preparing for this miraculous and momentous event.

Every year it seems that we see wonderful Christmas decorations earlier and earlier, as businesses try to attract customers, and people are already planning elaborate parties to celebrate the season. For many of us, the day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the season dedicated to shopping for gifts. And the list goes on. Of course, none of these things is inherently wrong or bad. However as Christians, we must ask ourselves the question: Is this really celebrating the Birth of our Lord?

If we are honest with ourselves, the answer to such questions for true Christians must be, "No," because the Fathers have told us that we should prepare ourselves in a spiritual way, with prayer and fasting and almsgiving to truly celebrate our Lord`s Nativity, the Feast Day of Christmas.

Sometimes our gift-giving becomes the center of the season and even our generosity and desire to celebrate the season can lead to a focus on materialism and away from the true meaning of the Birth of our Savior. Yet if we take a moment to reflect, we realize that most gifts are soon forgotten, and also that giving is a good thing which should not be confined only to relatives and friends.

This year I encourage you to use the tools that our Church has provided for us: worship, prayer, fasting and charity to help us prepare ourselves to receive our King as He comes to us as a little baby.

The message of the angels continues to remind us as people of faith to “Be not afraid…for nothing is impossible with God.”(Luke 1:30, 37). Indeed, despite the problems and adversities of the times we are in, and the very real difficulties that we face, we are not afraid because of our faith that God is with us.