Abp. Nathaniel Publishes Annual Nativity Letter
GRASS LAKE, MI — His Eminence Abp. Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA) has released his annual Nativity pastoral letter, proclaiming the central message of Christmas: "The Christ is born! Glorify Him!"
The encyclical focuses on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the birth of Christ.
Archbishop Nathaniel highlights the significance of the name "Jesus," noting the angelic command: "you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21-22). Derived from Hebrew "Yehoshu'a" or "Yeshua," it means Savior, underscoring that "every time we speak the name 'Jesus,' we are actually calling him 'Savior.'"
The letter cites key prophecies from the Nativity service's Royal Hours, including Micah 5:2 on Bethlehem's role; Baruch 3:36-38 on God's appearance among men; Isaiah 7:14 on the virgin birth and "Immanuel, God is with us"; and Isaiah 9:6 describing the child as "Father of the age to come, Prince of Peace."
Redemption, he explains, is "the granting of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus," with salvation solely "by the name of Jesus Christ… is the only one by which we be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Concluding with thanksgiving for God's love, Archbishop Nathaniel reaffirms: "whosoever believes in Jesus, the Messiah or Anointed one, the Savior, will have the gift of eternal life."
Last week, the UOJ reported on Met. Tikhon's reflections for the Feast of St. Herman of Alaska.
Read also
Ecumenical Patriarch Ordains New Metropolitan of Ankara at Phanar
The Ecumenical Patriarch urged him to promote coexistence and reject of fundamentalism. He stressed the Eucharist and diakonia as core to the episcopal mission and encouraged ongoing theological engagement.
Iran Sentences Christians to Combined 50 Years for Christmas Prayers
Iran has sentenced five Christians, including an Iranian-American pastor, to over 50 years in prison combined for routine faith practices like prayer, baptism, and Christmas celebrations, prompting US condemnation of the regime's religious repression.
Rare Good Shepherd Fresco of Jesus Discovered in Ancient Nicaea Tomb
Archaeologists in Iznik have uncovered what may be the only known Anatolian depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a rare third-century fresco offering new insight into early Christian art.
Abp. of Crete Declares Loyalty to Phanar
The Archbishop stated that “our Father and Patriarch [Bartholomew] listened to our pain, heard our concerns, and stood by us with genuine pastoral care.”
Abp. Nathaniel Publishes Annual Nativity Letter
"Whosoever believes in Jesus, the Messiah or Anointed one, the Savior, will have the gift of eternal life," Abp. Nathaniel affirms.
OCU Seizes Intercession Church of UOC’s Balta Eparchy in Myrony Village
A parish church in Ukraine’s Odesa region came under OCU control after a disputed “transfer” that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church says was carried out without the participation or consent of its faithful.