394. Приветственное послание к Ярославской пастве

(printed in the book “Hierarchs of the Yaroslavl Flock”). By the grace of God, humble Filaret, Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov, - the churches of the God-saved cities of Yaroslavl and Rostov and other cities and villages of the spiritual flock, and the authorities in it, the rulers, the priesthood, monasticism, all the clergy of the church and all Orthodox Christians. – Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! “Blessed is God, the One, glorified in the Trinity, and blessed is our Lord and Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ, who has given to His Church “these who are apostles, who are prophets, who are evangelists, who are shepherds and teachers for the perfection of the saints, for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we attain all to the unity of faith” (Eph. 4:11-13). I believe that through the conciliar election of the Holy Synod and through the sovereign permission of the Most Pious Sovereign, and I, unworthy from the hand of the Lord, accept the lot of service to the Church of Yaroslavl and Rostov. And although this lot is no longer new, but only given to me instead of another, I cannot help but confess that I accept this lot with fear, knowing my weakness and unworthiness, and the holiness and difficulty of this service, about which the Holy Apostle Paul, a vessel full of grace, cries out: “Who is pleased with these things” (2 Cor. 2:16)? For this reason, I pray to all of you, brothers: help me with your prayers, may the Lord grant me light and understanding in the knowledge of the mysteries of Christ, strength in speaking them before you, truth and purity in deed and word of management and life, may my service with you not be in vain, and for me in condemnation, but may it be for you grace and salvation, for me for mercy and justification on the day of Christ, for you and me together in peace and mutual consolation, to God's glory. “I beg you, co-servants at the altar and accomplices in the pastoral work, promote my service and the general success by faithfully and unslothfully carrying out your service, carefully studying and teaching the commandments and the Gospel of the Lord, through your prayer inhaling the spirit of prayer in others, in your own correction, drawing on the art of correcting those entrusted to your spiritual correction. I don’t remind you of this so much as if I doubted it, or didn’t expect it from you; but, in obedience to the present calling and occasion, “I stir up with remembrance your pure sense” (2 Peter 3:1). I pray to you, monastics: promote general improvement in holiness, preceding those living in the world with an example of zealous deeds in piety, showing them the true angelic order in angelic life, in obedience, in brotherly love, in Godly love, in dispassion. “I pray... you,” all Orthodox people: strive to “walk worthy of the calling, even quicker than the calling” (Eph. 4:1), i.e. holy title of Christians; walk in the passion of God, in peace and love for each other, in obedience to the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, by which the “disobedient” is condemned by the judgment of Jesus Christ himself “as ... a pagan and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17). Christians! Strive to be truly Christ's, cleave to Christ with all your heart through following the teaching and life revealed in the Gospel, and through diligent communion of the Divine sacraments, which He left for His Church. Orthodox! Truly strive to be right in faith and righteous in life. “The little ones live by this rule; peace and mercy be upon them” (Gal. 6:16). May the Lord of peace Himself always give you peace in every way: peace to your souls - through the cleansing of conscience and forgiveness of sins, peace to your communities - through mutual love, help and patience, peace to your exercises and labors - through blessings from above and prosperity in all that is good and useful. The Lord is with you all! Amen. You might be interested in: