Christmas Message from His Grace Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh,
Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada
to the Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All the Faithful
Children of Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and the USA

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

With heartfelt joy, I greet you all and wholeheartedly congratulate you on the bright feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ!

His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh

Today, the Holy Church of Christ once again proclaims to the world the great joy and incomprehensible mystery of Christian piety, which surpasses all understanding: “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16). In the silence of the cave of Bethlehem, the greatest miracle of Divine love is taking place: “I see a strange and most glorious mystery: heaven is a cave, the throne of the Cherubim is the Virgin, the manger is a receptacle in which lay the uncontainable Christ God, Whom we glorify in song.” (Irmos of the Canon of the Nativity of Christ). The Eternal Son of God humbly assumes human nature in order to restore fallen human nature and grant humanity the path to salvation and eternal life.

On this blessed Christmas night, contemplating the Divine Infant Christ lying in the manger, we reverently worship the Mystery of the Incarnation and, together with the Heavenly Powers, sing the angelic doxology: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

The incarnate Lord calls us to follow His example—to be bearers of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, testifying to Christ not only in words, but above all in deeds of love.

In these difficult times, it is especially important to keep this Christmas joy and trust in God in our hearts, remembering that God is Light and that no darkness can comprehend Him (John 1:5).

May the feast of Christ’s Nativity strengthen each of us in faith, console us in sorrows, and inspire us to serve our neighbours, to care for one another, and to preserve Christian unity.

May the feast of the Nativity of Christ become a source of spiritual renewal for each of us, and may the New Year become a time of blessed labours and good fruits.

I invoke God’s blessing upon you all.

With love in the Newborn Christ,

+MATTHEW

Bishop of Sourozh,

Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada

Nativity of Christ 

  2025/2026