Remarks of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Community Agape Reception with Children of the Parochial Schools of the Direct Archdiocesan District

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Direct Archdiocesan District
Astoria, Queens, New York

October 26, 2009

Remarks as prepared for delivery

***

Beloved Children in the Lord,

Today, you have warmed our fatherly heart with your bright, beautiful smiles, your warm greeting, and your wonderful songs and dances. As we stand in front of you, children of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, we see you as our very own children, as children of our Heavenly Father, Who sent His own Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to bring us all to Him. It was the Lord Who said to his Apostles, “let the children come to me” (Mathew 19:15), and that all people, young and old, must be like children to enter the Kingdom of God (cf. Luke 18:17).

Today, we have come to your church and to your school to remind you how precious you are in the sight of God. If there is one thing we want you to know, it is that God loves you very much. He loves you as a father or mother loves their own child. God created you out of His love for you. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to show His love for you. And He has given you His Holy Spirit so that you may know His love no matter where you are. God is with you, and He wants always to be close to your heart.

Because of God’s great love for you, we ask you to love Him, and to show your love. Show your love by loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Show your love by serving your Church. Show your love by being kind to everyone. Show your love by being your best both in your education and your Faith. Show your love in caring for the environment. Show your love by praising God. Your love is our hope for the Church in America and the future of our world.

We would like to express our gratitude to the clergy, educators, and to your parents who have placed you in the care of the church and who instruct you in the Faith, and we say goodbye with assuring you of the love, hope and joy that the Mother Church feels in the presence of your young and precious faith.

May God bless each and every one of you richly, this day, and always. Amen

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