BY THE GRACE OF GOD

IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST, SUPREME HEAD OF THE UNIVERSAL SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

No. E310/01

December 15, 2004

Apostolic benediction to our beloved Metropolitan His Eminence Mor Theethose Yeldo and to our spiritual children: the Venerable Chor-episcopos, the esteemed priests, the revered deacons and the all other respected faithful of our Malankara Archdiocese of North America

By God's mercy, we have once again come to the Feast of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Centuries ago, when Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem, the Angels sang: "Glory to the God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favours!" (St. Luke 2:14). The angels were filled with awe at the birth of our Lord Jesus, the incarnate word of God. So they glorified Him and proclaimed that on those on whom His favour rests, or, in other words those who please Him will have peace. And how can one please God? By believing and accepting Lord Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we can please God. Lord Jesus has thus summarised the whole Law and Prophets for us: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind... And you shall love your neighbour as yourself" (St. Matthew 22:37-39). All those who believe in and love Lord Jesus will obey His commandments also, and they will receive God's favour and have peace. But, today, there is no peace in the world. Wars, Civil riots, famines, poverty and diseases are widespread. This is not because the world does not remember that without Lord Jesus we can do nothing (St. John 15:5). We must turn to Him, believe in Him and obey Him. We must love Him and all our fellow human beings. When people start to love one another hatred will end and all can live in peace. So, let us now renew our lives strengthening our faith in Lord Jesus and loving one another. Let us thus please Him and inherit the peace which the Angels proclaimed. On this occasion of Holy Christmas and the coming new year, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We extend our Apostolic Blessings to you. May the grace of God be with you all.

Our Father Who art in heaven, ...

Issued at our Patriarchal house in Damascus, Syria
on the 15th day of December, in the year two thousand and four
which is the 25th year of our Patriarchate.