Beloved in Christ:

We thank God for our safe return from the numerous events surrounding the burial of our beloved Metropolitan Philip. Although our hearts are saddened by this great loss, we are comforted through God’s mercy and the outpouring of love, expressions of sympathy and the great number of people who have been in contact with us. The Chancery has been overwhelmed with the number of calls, letters and emails and with the Holy Week upon us, we ask for your understanding in not being able to properly responding to each of you at this time.

After 40 days of Great Lent, having examined, confessed and cleansed ourselves, we joyfully celebrated the feast of Lazarus Saturday which marked the beginning of the last days of our pilgrimage to Pascha. Just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ humbly entered Jerusalem on a colt, we should now humbly enter the Holy Week. The days ahead will be filled with deep prayer and contemplation, through the many readings and church services, recounting our Lord’s suffering and ultimately His victory over death.

I beseech you, dear ones, to join me in focusing on what lies ahead of us in the coming days – quietly, reverently, and respectfully – in joyful anticipation. All hearts and minds should be turned towards Him. Let us “lay aside our earthly cares” and turn our entire selves towards Christ to whom belongs all glory, honor and worship that we might experience the power of the Resurrection.

In His Service,

+ ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH