Today, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates one of the Twelve Great Feasts — the Meeting of the Lord. On this day, the Most Holy Theotokos, according to an established tradition, brought the Divine Christ Child to the Jerusalem Temple. Here, on its steps, the ancient world and the new era met: the Elder Simeon represented the Old Testament, and the Divine Christ Child represented the New Testament.

The holy elder waited for a meeting with God for his whole long life. And when the time of the fulfilment of the ancient prophecies had come, the Lord, by the Holy Spirit, let him know about it, gave him the strength to come to the Temple of God, and strengthened him in his desire to meet and take up in his arms the Saviour of the world — the One Who holds the entire universe in His hands.

Thus did the Divine plan of salvation continue to be fulfilled; however, few noticed it: people went on living their ordinary lives and were too busy with their affairs.

Don't we also often pass by a church without even thinking that it is at this moment that the Lord is waiting for us therein, Who is ready to accept, embrace, forgive, bless, heal, and save our wounded souls?

Unlike human plans, which, unfortunately, often lead only to new upheavals, discord, disasters, and sufferings, the Plan of God gives those who love Him peace, quietness, and grace. Through the Mysteries of the Church of Christ, it fills us with the power of the Spirit, which is able to change our lives, correct the distortions which have amassed, heal our souls, and give true and eternal peace — peace of heart, peace of soul, peace with the entire world created by God. It is that very grace about which the Holy Venerable Seraphim of Sarov said: "Be saved yourself — and thousands around you will be saved."

So let us not lose heart! Let us open our hearts for the Truth and go out to meet God! Our loving Lord Jesus Christ is always near. He knocks at the door of every heart, wanting to enter it, adorn it, give freedom from the bondage of passions, and give His eternal peace.

I wish each one of us, dear brothers and sisters, the same desire and aspiration to go out to meet God as the Holy Elder Simeon the God-Receiver had! That, with pure thoughts and pure hearts, we may meet God and unite with Him as often as possible — in our prayers, in good works, in service to our neighbours, and in the Holy Mysteries of the Church, first of all in the Eucharist.

Heartfelt greetings on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord!