St. Philip’s Fast - 2010!
St. Philip’s Fast - 2010!

PERMANENT CONFERENCE OF UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX BISHOPS BEYOND THE BORDERS OF UKRAINE

REFLECTIONS ON PYLYPIVKA/ST. PHILIP’S FAST 2010

To the Venerable and Christ-loving Clergy, Monastics and Laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.  Love and peace be unto you from God our Father, Grace from His Son Jesus Christ and continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit!

We have come to the time of year made sacred because of our preparation for the solemn commemoration of the Nativity/Incarnation of the Only-Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.  It is a time of pilgrimage, a spiritual journey which began on 15/28 November and lasts for 40 days and focuses attention on personal renewal based on not a minimal observance of the Orthodox Christian lifestyle, but on attention to quality and excellence in following the life-giving Gospel.

Pylypivka – Philip’s Fast, which calls for renewal by reflecting on the Person of Jesus Christ and the miracle wrought by His Nativity/Incarnation, can very easily be overshadowed and even buried by concerns, which, if not bridled, can plague and distract many of us during the holy season.  

For those of us who adhere to the Orthodox faith and Order embraced by the Blessed Ol’ha and the Venerable Prince Volodymyr of Kyiv and who appreciate the richness of the heritage, which binds us to Kyivan Rus’ – Ukraine’s venerable past and challenging present, Pylypivka 2010 is the time to stand up among those who seek and proclaim Christ, as did our forefathers.  We proclaim Christ the Only Begotten Son of the Father, born of Mary through the Holy Spirit, Christ the True Light shining brightly from the holy cave in Bethlehem and from the Holy Tables of our parish churches.  For us, Pylypivka 2010 is the time to “let our light so shine before men, that they might see the good works and give  glory to our Father Who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  This is the Father, Whose Beloved Son “loves those who are just and shows mercy to those who are hardened in sin.” (Prayer of the First Hours) 

May He, who so loved the world that He sent His Only-Begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior, assist us in our resolve to mature and be nourished by the word of Truth and Life-giving mysteries. 

May we grow and mature in faith as Ukrainian Orthodox Christians so that others, having witnessed the faith manifested in our personal lives and in our parish communities, will be drawn to Christ and, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, will glorify and praise God for all that they have seen and heard through us.

Assuring you of our prayers and love and requesting yours, we remain your servants in the Lord,

+ Constantine
Metropolitan - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the Diaspora

+ Yurij
Metropolitan - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

+ Antony
Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

+ Ioan
Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora

+ Jeremiah
Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of South America

+ Ilarion
Bishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

+ Andriy
Bishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

+ Daniel
Bishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

*****************************************************************

For Ukrainian Language Pastoral Letter, click here>

Share This:



You might also like:

Strategic Plan

image
image
Prayer Books
Prayer Books
Calendar 2024
Calendar 2024
Prayer Book
Prayer Book

  

Recent Galleries
Metropolia
Directories
Institutions
Organizations

Mailing Address
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
P.O. Box 495
South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Offices:
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Metropolia Center
135 Davidson Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08873