January 3, 2012
Nativity Epistle of His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan

"The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light"
Isaiah 9:2

Our age is an age of paradoxes.

On the one hand, the words of the Prophet Isaiah above, are filled with a deep spiritual meaning: all mankind once "walked in darkness," not knowing the True God: and even the Hebrew people, who did worship the True God, were ignorant of the Lord’s plan and of the coming Messiah.

Later, the pagan nations, and especially those of the North (as "God will come from the South [i.e. "from Teman"]: from the viewpoint of Russia, Jerusalem is in the South), and the peoples of the West ("and the Holy One from Mount Paran Selah" ["the mount of the shaded woods"]: words which remind us of Russia with the sanctuaries and monasteries of her forests, whence also we receive enlightenment) ‒ from the Prophecy of Habakkuk, 3:3.

Every person, even from the most devout Orthodox family, in spiritual darkness from birth until Holy Baptism, "walks in darkness," then sees a Great Light.

But, even in these bright and joyous days of Christmas, we are still convinced that these prophetic words also occur in reverse order, when we see "people who have been shown a Great Light, but walk in darkness!" In our world, in our society, such words need no explanation. We know what goes on around us.

Therefore, the Christmas present that brings us the most joy, is when we see those close to us, walking not "in darkness," but in Orthodox piety. The heart is glad when Christians live as befits their calling. And one might add that one’s devout life on earth brings joy and consolation even to his ancestors in the other world: those he never knew, and even those who never knew the light of Christ in their own time on earth, but for whom, as for all his ancestors, the Orthodox descendant prays. His love for the Holy Church of Christ, the prayers that he offers in the temple of God, the offerings he makes according to his ability, with faith and love, all bear witness of his commitment: all this is part of "walking in the light," and brings comfort and consolation to the believing Christian, as well as to all those with whom, and because of whom, he walks in the light.

Christ is born, glorify Him!

+ JEROME
Bishop of Manhattan
Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese
Nativity of our Lord 2011/2012

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese