With new hopes and new aspirations we welcomed the New Year of 2003. The good tidings of the Epiphany and Nativity have filled our hearts with renewed joy–enriching our lives with good wishes. The "Great and wonderful" mystery once again is manifested on the horizon of our lives by granting us the messages of peace and love. "The Newborn King" once again visits the world–and the rays of His Bright Star illumine our souls.
The Shepherds–as a reward of their goodness and meekness–were granted the tidings of the Angels–discovered the Infant–bundled in manger and professed that He was indeed "The Creator of Heaven and Earth". The Wise Men–led by the Bright Star came and bowed to the Newborn King–and offered their precious gifts as a token of their love and discipleship.
Today is the Feast of Nativity. It is the Lord’s Epiphany. The Nativity of our Savior–who is Christ the Lord–is a great joy for us all–for "The Sun of Justice" rose on our lives to illuminate mankind with the light of salvation.
How heartening are the words of the Hymn: "And the Shepherds sing with the Angels Glory to God in highest–who With your manifestation came to the world And saved the Universe."
Let us imagine for a while; the shepherds–whose life and world in a peaceful atmosphere was only to keep watch over their flock–were gratified by the invitation of the Angels despite of their fear.
After twenty centuries–and especially nowadays–when our world lives are burdened in fear of terrorism and war–how much more grateful should we be to God–who was incarnated and was made man for us and came to the world for our salvation?
Glory and thanksgiving to the Lord who granted us a new life. Glory to the incarnated Newborn King–who with His message of Peace–Justice and Love offered to us the knowledge of God.
Indeed–we may enjoy the new life–the message of peace and love and the invitation to the knowledge of God–if we truly live the message of Epiphany and meet with the Newborn King and be in communion with him. Dear Faithful,
The New Year of 2003 is full of anticipation–hope and expectations for the entire world.
The clouds of war and terrorism are darkening the horizon. More than ever–the world is in dire need of peace–love and goodwill. May Armenia and Artsakh strive to live with Justice and in accordance with the divine Commandmen’s.
More than ever–especially these days–mankind needs to meet with God and live in daily communion with our Creator.
This New Year and the Feast of Epiphany grant us more joy–because our Pontiff His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia–with His Encyclical and Pontifical Letter has proclaimed the year of 2003 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Narek (the Book of Lamentation of St. Gregory of Narek) and the Year of The Holy Bible–two books which brighten our souls and enlighten our minds in order to see Lord and live Him in our lives Let the 1000th Anniversary of Narek be an invitation to be born again in Christ. Let the Holy Scriptures be the open book in our homes. Let our prayers and the obedience to divine Commandmen’s be the lighthouse of our lives during this year.
On these festive days–let us renew our lives with the spirit of Christmas and Epiphany; let us kneel down and pray for world peace–for the prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh and for success of Diaspora projects. On the occasion of the New year–and the Year of the Holy Bible and the 1000th anniversary of Narek–let us congratulate one another–and as pilgrims following the example of the Shepherds–let us join the Angels in praising the Lord–who came to the world for our salvation.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
CHRIST WAS BORN AND REVEALED
Prayerfully,
Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate–Western United States of America