NATIVITY ENCYCLICAL by Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia
Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, my brethren, He is born of the Virgin Mary, who in His hand holds the whole of creation. The holy hymn-writer reminds us that the chapter of our salvation is unique and repetitive, using the term “today.” That is, a present-tense since the historical event of the Nativity of Christ does not disappear in the distant past, but is experienced in the Church as always-present grace and is revived in the life of every believer. Thus, it becomes a vital event that seals and transforms our lives. The Church invites us all to become eyewitnesses of the Birth of the Savior, which took place “during the time of King Herod” (Mt 2: 1).
This grace and the highest honor that was given to us are not only a spiritual privilege, but also a reminder that we must be renewed in the supernatural event of the Divine Incarnation and offer to our Creator our whole existence. Read More
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BREXIT, EUROPE, AND NATIONALISM: AN ORTHODOX PERSPECTIVE by James Chater
A British citizen—or should I say, a British subject—I recently acquired French nationality. This process prompted the following reflexions on how our identity as Christians meshes with our civic identity and national allegiance. I conclude with a wake-up call, warning that the Orthodox Church’s response to racism, ethnophyletism, and authoritarianism needs to be sharper and better informed.
PART ONE
On 24 June 2016, along with millions of my compatriots, I woke up to the shocking news that the UK had voted by a slim majority to leave the European Union. Although the Leave campaign lied and broke the law to achieve its ends, it soon became clear not only that the result would be allowed to stand, but that the type of Brexit being pursued was a “hard” one, involving a break with the European Single Market and therefore the end to freedom of movement. Read More
