“I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:16-17)
The Church celebrates a new liturgical year each September 1st on the Church calendar. It is a beginning but also a renewal as the pattern of life which the Church brings to all of the Faithful. It flows freely with newness as a river is always flowing with new water, yet most often follows a course that is set in the stability of the river banks of the past. So the Church is filled with patterns of life and grace which come to us from the shadow of the history and the Law of the Old Testament, but were fulfilled and enlarged when Christ came to earth and brought fullness and renewal to all things through His Death and Resurrection. Why did Christ come? He tells us directly, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Let us humbly bow down then to drink this water of life in God, this beginning yet such a great renewal, and enter that Life in Christ that can know no end. Amen.
The Monastics at St. Isaac of Syria Skete
and at the Convent of St. Silouan
and the Faithful at St. Nicholas Church
and the Staff at Orthodox Byzantine Icons and St. Isaac’s Bookstore