December 2024 Letter

Dear brethren,
Saint Epiphanius, who was ordained bishop of Cyprus at the end of the fourth century AD, has a beautiful article entitled “The Resurrection of Christ,” in which he compares Jesus Christ to the Prophet Moses. We quote this small part:
v From a high mountain Moses the lawgiver was sent by God, to bring the law of examples for the salvation of the people. Likewise, the Lord the lawgiver was sent, God from God, and the mountain from the mountain of mountains.
v If Moses saved them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, then Christ saved us from Satan and the demons.
v Moses killed and buried in the sand who had wronged the Jew. Christ killed Satan by sending him to the abyss.
v Moses brought peace between two brothers who were fighting. Christ brought peace between two peoples, and united the heavenly with the earthly.
v Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe and found Moses. The Church also is the daughter of Christ through baptism. The church took Christ, not from the basket where the three-month-old Moses was, but from the tomb after he had stayed there for three days instead of Moses.
v There Israel made the Pascha at night as an example. Here in day light, we celebrate the Pascha.
v There the doorposts and lintels were wiped with blood. Here the hearts of Christ’s believers were sealed with His blood.
v There the sacrifice was in the evening, and at night the crossing of the Red Sea took place. Here there will be salvation and enlightenment for the red baptismal sea ignited by the fires of the spirit.
v There, Mary, Moses’ sister, danced for the salvation of the people. Here the Church of Christ celebrates every example. Its churches where the people of all nations are saved.
v There the rock was hit with a stick. Here is Christ the Rock, accepting a spear hole in his side.
v There water came out of the rock. Here blood and water flowed from the living side.
v Those received quail meat from heaven. We received from heaven the dove of the Spirit.
May the blessings of St. Mary, St. Mercurius and Moses the prophet be with us all. Amen.
Belleville, December 1, 2024

رسالة شهر ديسمبر ٢٠٢٤