From the September 2024 edition of “The Light”
As you may know, the Ecclesiastical year begins on September 1st, ushering in an entire twelve months of new blessings from God. New optimism begins the year with the usual and familiar feast days, fasting periods, and retreats. They all culminate in a spiritual growth that is unprecedented on a personal level. Each one of us needs to explore new heights in our closeness to our Creator and in sailing unchartered individual spiritual grounds within the context of the Orthodox Church Doctrines, Scriptures, and Holy Traditions. Simply put, spiritual stagnation is unacceptable, spiritual decline is unfathomable, and spiritual falling-out-of-Grace is incomprehensible. The only way forward is growing in our Lord Jesus Christ! This is not open to individual interpretations but rather in accordance with the elucidations and explanations of the Church Fathers as the Holy Spirit inspired them. The Christ promised us the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1, Acts 2:1, Acts 13:2, Acts 15:28, Romans 14:8, Romans 8:26-27). If we believe in Christ, we must believe in His teachings and the pledges He guaranteed us. The Holy Spirit has been guiding the Orthodox Church, despite the occasional stumbling of Her fallible leaders throughout the ages, during the last two thousand years. And therefore, the Church is infallible! May the Holy Spirit be our inspiration to reach new spiritual heights in Christ Jesus.
May God bless you and may the Holy Trinity protect you all!
+BISHOP NICHOLAS
