Nativity Divine Liturgy 2023

 

His Beatitude Patriarch John X celebrated the Nativity Divine Liturgy at the Mariamiyah Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, assisted by His Grace Bishop Ioannis (Batach) and the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Philip Vsevolodovich, Representative of the Russian Church to the Antiochian Church in Damascus, along with many priests and deacons.

In his homily, His Beatitude wondered at the beginning whether we have truly embraced Nativity. He emphasized the meanings of Nativity, saying, "Nativity is peace, joy, salvation, and light."

However, when we look around us, we ask, "Where is the peace? Where is the tranquility?" Everyone is complaining, and everyone's eyes shedding tears! So, where is Nativity?

Today, the invitation to us is to look at our fellow human beings as human beings and to wish for them what we wish for ourselves. This is the true meaning of Nativity.

He also prayed for all the afflicted, the suffering, and the pained, for the kidnapped metropolitans of Aleppo, for the peace of the entire world, and for our brothers in Gaza and the wounded land of Palestine.

He prayed for security, peace, and stability in our great country and for our land, which has been enriched by the blood of the saints, recently declared holy by the Holy Synod as new saints. "For our land is a land of holiness!"

At the end of the Liturgy, everyone gathered to the tunes and melodies of the Mariamiyah scouts.