Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

When putting together a very complex machine, many parts are required, each one fulfilling a separate function and completing its task efficiently. An iPhone, for instance, is extremely intricate in its design, and its components are built in various parts of the world – Cupertino, San Diego, China, and so forth. If one part fails, the entire device suffers and doesn’t work. Its performance is hindered whenever any part is not working properly, whether it is viewed as a “critical” component or not. Conversely, when all the parts are harmoniously achieving their goals, those tasks which they are designed to do, the entire machine fulfills its goals and flows smoothly.

When trying to reconcile feuding Christians in the early communities of the Mediterranean world, Saint Paul likened it to the most complex and brilliant machine ever created, the human body. In his first letter to the Corinthians, he says:

“But now indeed there are many members, yet one body…God composed the body, having given…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (v.20, 24-27)

With this in mind, let us embrace one another this new ecclesiastical year. Please continue to pray for all the membership of our parish, as well as those who might visit at our Open House this month on Sunday, September 15. We build up the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12) by embracing those who have yet to enter our fold, as well. We strengthen and renew the body by always seeking to grow in order to fulfill our calling – our “function,” if you will – harmoniously achieving our goals together. 

With love in Christ,

Father Niko Bekris
Proistamenos