Pastoral letter for the Lenten period

Dear brothers in the clerical ministry,

we bestow our blessing on You and pray for You that Your clerical ministry may bring salvation to the faithful as well as to You.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebr 12:1-2)

So in Your life, especially in critical situations or temptations, “look to Jesus”. This is the key to true victory and change of our life.

God desires a change of the hearts of our believers. So that this change may take place, first the hearts of the shepherds – priests – must be changed. Therefore we beseech You earnestly by the name of Jesus Christ that You stand against sin in Your personal life and resist it to bloodshed (cf. Hebr 12:4). “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.” (Hebr 12:15-16)

So that God might change our hearts, it is necessary to create the conditions. God’s Word says that the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42) Therefore we would like to encourage You, dear brothers, to try for the rest of the Lenten period to read the Holy Scripture at least for a quarter of an hour daily and to reflect upon it. Try to pray the Rosary – the sorrowful mysteries – every day and to commemorate the suffering of Christ and the price for which we were redeemed. Contemplation of the Way of the Cross may help You to live these mysteries too. May the Mother of God protect You and help You save the souls.

Try to serve the Divine Liturgy as often as possible and celebrate it with a pure heart. Have therefore the courage each time to confess Your sins honestly in the sacrament of penance. Then through the Most Holy sacrifice of Body and Blood of Christ Your prayers will have immense power in the eyes of the living God and Your believers will get converted, repent and be healed.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings” (Hebr 13:8-9a) which are at variance with the Gospel and the Apostles’ Tradition.

Dear brothers, pray for us that we may bravely defend the treasure of the true faith which is the only one to ensure us eternal salvation!

Blessing You in Christ and praying for You,

bishops of the orthodox Catholic Synod of the UGCC

                                  + Mikhailo

                                  + Josaphat OSBM

                                  + Teodozij

                                  + Eliáš OSBM

                                  + Markian OSBM

                                  + Metod?j OSBM

                                  + Timotej

                                  + Samuel

                                  + Bazil

                                                                                                                           Lvov, 12th March 2009