Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Indiction – the beginning of our new ecclesiastical year – we are reminded of the wondrous rhythm of the Church’s life. We also call to mind the sacred nature of creation which is the manifestation of God’s glory.
But what is it that we truly celebrate on this day? We do not celebrate the passing of time for its own sake. Time is fleeting and wears away at our lives. Nor do we worship the created world - the heavens, the sun, the moon, or the earth. These, too, are passing away, for all creation is a servant of the living God.
Instead, we honor the Lord of time, the eternal God who has no beginning and no end. In Him, all creation finds its purpose. In Him, every passing year becomes a gift, an opportunity to draw nearer to Christ. The Church’s feasts remind us that time itself is sanctified when it is dedicated to God.
Even creation testifies to its own Creator. The sea carried Moses, Jonah, and Noah, yet it bore the footsteps of Christ with reverence. The earth was illumined by His manger. The heavens were glorified by His throne. Even Hades was conquered by His burial and Resurrection. All creation proclaims: “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.”
And in the Gospel, the Lord speaks to us just as He spoke to His disciples on the storm-tossed sea: “Be of good courage. It is I; do not be afraid.” This is the message we carry into the new year of the Lord’s grace: be of good courage. Be of good courage, because Christ is the anchor of our faith. Be of good courage, because the storms of life cannot overcome His love. Be of good courage, because wherever God is present, danger is dispelled and hope shines forth.
But courage in Christ is not passive—it calls us to act. At the beginning of this ecclesiastical year, I encourage each of you to take a step deeper into the life of the Church. Here in our Metropolis, the Lord has blessed us with many ministries that allow us to serve Him and one another.
These ministries are the living proof that our Church is vibrant and filled with opportunities for everyone to serve, to grow, and to experience the grace of God in community.
I ask you: as this new year begins, do not let it pass by as just another cycle of days. Dedicate your time to Christ. Offer your talents to His service. Step into one of these ministries and make the Church’s life your own life.
May the Lord bless you in this new year with courage, joy, and with the peace that comes from His eternal presence. And may every day of this year be an offering of glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.