Some thoughts about the world and the season

A short time ago, the world was shocked by the horrendous attacks in Paris, France, and in Mali on the African continent as well as uncovering a plot for a similar attack in Brussels. These atrocities were planned and committed in the name of a religion. That religion is Islam, a religion of the Middle East.

But these events, as we all know, have little or no basis in Islam. Over the years I have known a goodly number of people from the Middle East, Muslims as well as Christians, and none of them that I have known would have ever perpetrated events suck as these. It saddens me to see so many people ready and willing to condemn all Arab people. All of the Arab people I have met and gotten to know have been generous, kind, honorable and respectful of others. All Arabs are suffering, Christian and Muslim, and Jews, as well. Thugs and gangsters have seized their homelands. They have been driven out of their cities and homes, and forced to seek asylum far away from their homes. And this asylum has often been given very grudgingly.

Of course, as an Orthodox Christian clergyman, I have been very much concerned about the plight of Arab Christians. All three religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, were all founded in this area of the world. Once the home of various Christian groups, Orthodox, Catholic, Nestorian and Jacobite, the area has suffered a great deal especially since the end of the first World War. Arabs, too, have suffered once having been a part of the great Ottoman Empire which was broken up after that war, as the result of Turkey having fought against the Allied nations.

Now as Christians, we are two weeks away from the second greatest feast of the chruch’s year. The great feast which celebrates the birth of Jesus the Savior and demonstrates for us the great love of our creator, almighty God. As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas feast, let us remember to pray that God will protect the people of the area who have been displaced and that those who have, so far, been left behind will be spared further suffering. May they be protected through God’s love for his creatures and his creation. May we, too, have a happy and holy Christmas!

Metropolitan Kyril,

Holy American Orthodox Church