Archpastoral Epistle on the Occasion of the 95th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Russo Greek Orthodox Church in Vegreville.

Dear Fathers, brothers and sisters! Distinguished guests!
From the bottom of my heart I congratulate all of you with the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and with the 95th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Russo Greek Orthodox Church in Vegreville!
Today we have gathered in this holy temple, in order to celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist, and to give thanks to God for the 95-Year Anniversary of our parish, which is named in honor of this event!

A coming of a righteous person to the world is always a gracious gift of God to people, since the world owes its very existence to the holy people. Let’s recall, that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself indicated that St. John the Baptist is one of the greatest righteous men ever.
From the Holy Gospel we know that the birth of John the Baptist and the Forerunner of the Lord was accompanied by miracles. For example, St. John was born to the elderly couple righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were very old, also it was the Archangel Gabriel, who foretold John’s father about the future birth of the child.
Why is this man of whom Christ said that “among those born of women there has not risen a person greater than he”, was not born of a young couple?
We always associate young age with something good, bright, joyful. But we see a different logic in the Gospel. Nothing is impossible for the Lord: so if God wills, even an elderly woman and a Virgin may give birth.
Birth of John the Baptist was not just a historical fact. It was an important sign to all people. Long-lasting childlessness of the righteous parents of John the Baptist is a symbol of the futility of life of humanity, which distanced itself from God after Adam’s sin.
For John the Baptist returning of humans to God through repentance became the ultimate goal of his whole life, of his lively sermons, and of all his deeds. St. John calls each and every one of us to start your path toward Christ from the very beginning of our life. Since every man is born into this world only for the purpose of coming to his Saviour.
Today in the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada we celebrate a Triumph of Orthodoxy. We celebrate it in Vegreville – a truly Paschal town, since the largest Paschal egg in the world is located here! Our heart should also be like this egg, since the true faith should be born in the heart of every human being. Christ Himself should be born and risen in every heart. We should remember that what is happening in every human heart is of utmost concern to God.
The main “business” of our life should be the establishment and fashioning of the “internal temple” of our soul. Only in such a way may we restore God’s Image and Likeness in us and to revitalize faith and facilitate liturgical life in our parishes, including this great parish at Vegreville.
May St. John the Baptist help us witness the Truth and Christ everywhere and as long as we live – this constitutes the strength of the Orthodox Church and our power!
Let me express my deep gratitude to the Rector Very Rev. Igor Kisil, to the Parish Board and to all the parishioners for organizing this celebration, also to all the clergy and all members of our parishes, to all guests for Your prayers and participation in our today’s celebration of the Orthodox faith on the Canadian soil.
Many years to the Vegreville Parish and to all our parishes!
Many years and God’s blessing to all of You, my dear brothers and sisters!