Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, in his heartfelt and inspiring message for the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, emphasized the fundamental importance of the peace that emanates from the manger in Bethlehem.
He highlighted that God, in His humility, took on human nature to elevate humanity, allowing each person to experience reconciliation with God, with others, and with oneself.
In his message, the Archbishop expressed deep sorrow over the ongoing bloodshed, injustices, loneliness, and the lack of meaning plaguing the world. He called upon all the faithful to overturn the irrationality of our times and become pioneers in every effort for peace and solidarity. He reminded us that true peace, the great fruit of Christmas, is rooted in humility, love, and charity.
Finally, the Archbishop urged us to live in the way of Christ, who revealed Himself through sacrifice, humility, and the assumption of the world’s suffering. Guided by prayer and spiritual life, let us draw strength to face the challenges of life and be empowered by the message of the divine birth.
Find below the message of Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece:
Beloved brothers and children in the Lord,
The doxology of the Angels for the birth of the Savior Christ culminated in their proclamation and wish for heavenly celebration and earthly peace: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.”
God, “the God of peace” and “Father of mercies,” assumed human nature, without sin, so that humanity might partake in divine life.
Yet, it is precisely in the field of human history that evil manifests its strength—unjust ambitions, exploitation, injustice, wars, and suffering. The perpetual victim is humanity.
We watch with pain the bloodshed in various parts of the world and the unbearable calamities. Moreover, we experience evil in its everyday manifestations—loneliness, indifference to one’s neighbor, sorrow, and lack of meaning. The question often becomes a cry: Why does evil exist in the world?
We are urgently called to overturn irrationality at every level of life. We must act. We must become pioneers in every effort for peace, in social initiatives, in every noble human disposition, in all acts of charity. In Christ, humanity receives an infinite gift.
At the heart of this gift lies peace with God. Humanity can now exist free from selfishness, egocentrism, and aggressiveness. The path to reconciliation with one’s brother and sister is open. In this light, the vision of global peace may be regarded as the great and hoped-for fruit of Christmas.
Prayer and spiritual life are the crowning elements of our actions. At this moment, they constitute our great duty. The battle against the evil in the world requires that we live in the way of Christ. It is the way demonstrated by the humble manger and the modest swaddling clothes, by the hostility of worldly power at the time, and the path of exile. It is a way of humility and ultimate weakness, of bearing the suffering of one’s neighbor. This is the path to the fulfillment of existence, the work of the faithful within the journey of Creation toward the Last Things and the Kingdom of God.
“Come, let us see,” my beloved brethren, “where Christ was born.”
Beloved brothers and children in the Lord,
Let us join forces in the struggle against irrationality. Let our prayer and life in the Spirit be the spearhead of our journey together. True peace springs forth from the Manger of Bethlehem. I wish you all a truly blessed and holy Christmas!
“Christ is born; glorify Him!”
The Archbishop,
† Ieronymos II of Athens
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
