2019 Pentecost Greeting From Bishop Anthony
June 16, 2019
Great Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost
Beloved Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest:
Glory to Jesus Christ! Again and again we are refreshed with the awareness that we have seen the True Light and have received the Heavenly Spirit. On Pentecost, we once again begin our daily and liturgical prayers by saying: "O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things..."
At the Lord's Ascension, he told His disciples, "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Our Lord's instruction to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" has not been withdrawn. Indeed, the coming of the Holy Spirit is the indwelling power of God to the end that we might fulfill this commission. As I have said before, the victory of Christ given to every man objectively must be accepted by each man subjectively. I must want what I have! I make His victory over death my own by living the virtues of Christ personally. The work of the Holy Spirit is to shape us in virtue so we attain life and we desire this not only for ourselves and our own families, but for every man and woman and child with whom we live and work.
Pentecost is Mission Sunday throughout our diocese. We have several active missions in our diocese that need and deserve our help. Our Missions Council is also working to expand the presence of the Orthodox Church in the Midwest. As we renew our lives in the Spirit, please remember all parishes are asked to take a special offering on this day to support our mission parishes.
May the Comforter and Spirit of Truth abide in our hearts that we may all abide with the Holy Trinity until the ages of ages. Amen!
Yours in Christ,
+Bishop ANTHONY
Bishop of Toledo Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
PARISHES Please send checks in care of the Honorable Nicholas Ayoub, 1251 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 made payable to the "Diocese of Toledo Mission Fund". Thank you for your generosity.