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Beloved
in the Lord:
Greetings
and blessings to you as we enter this most holy
season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
During
this time of the Great Fast, once again, we turn
our attention to the Food for Hungry People program
of the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. For
more than a quarter century, this campaign has
had a tremendous impact throughout the world to
help alleviate hunger and the numberless tragedies
caused by poverty. With the tragic events of the
United States this past year as well as the ongoing
human tragedy in the Middle East, the recent volcano
in the Congo, political unrest in Argentina and
elsewhere, we continue to have a great need for
almsgiving here and throughout the world.
St.
John Chrysostom, perhaps the greatest preacher
in the history of the Church, once said:
"Although
fasting is more difficult than this, nothing
is so strong and powerful to extinguish the
fire of our sins as almsgiving. It is greater
than all other virtues. It places its lovers
by the side of the King, Himself, and justly.
For the effect of fasting is confined to those
who fast, and no other is saved thereby. But
almsgiving extends to all, embracing the members
of Christ, and actions that extend their effects
to many are far greater than those who are confined
to one."
Through
your generosity to the Food for Hungry People
campaign, you embrace the world with the love
of Christ, saving yourself as you literally save
others.
We
urge you, during this season of prayer, self-discipline
and fasting, to be very generous in your contribution
to this campaign. As we practice the virtues which
cleanse our souls, let us not forget or refrain
from the "greatest of virtues." As important
as prayer and fasting are, they are of no avail
to us if we fail to give to those in need.
Asking
the Almighty God to bless you during this journey
to Pascha, we remain,
Paternally
yours,
Metropolitan
Philip
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North
America
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