Dear Parishioners,
 
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
 
That is the last time I express to you our much-loved Paschal Greeting, since with tomorrow’s Feast of the Ascension, we no longer exchange “Christ is Risen!” until next year!
 
Tonight we remember liturgically the great event of our Risen Lord’s Holy Ascension. Recall Jesus appeared to His Disciples on this day 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. After speaking with them, His last commandment was for them to go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. He also commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they received power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them – what Orthodox Christians celebrate at the Feast of Pentecost.
 
Tonight, we remember liturgically our Lord’s Ascension. On Sunday, May 27 ^th, we will commemorate the Feast of Pentecost – the time when the Apostles received God’s Holy Spirit and in turn, bestowed it upon others and ultimately on us, when we were baptized and/or chrismated. These two Feast Days are sacred blessings and it is the reason I ask, if you are able, to join us tonight as we remember the moment when Christ gave His followers “The Great Commission”. 2,000 years later, at St. Christopher Church, we will honor His commandment and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning with ourselves and those who may be visiting us tonight. Renewed, we will “depart in peace” and share it!
 
As part of Christ’s Holy Body, I call upon you to help with this effort, today and in the future. God bless you always. Christ is among us now and always!
 
Faithfully yours,
 
+Fr. George