Address of the Vicar of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America On the Sunday of Orthodoxy

“Do not be slothful in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord”
Romans 12:11-13

Venerable fellow clergymen and God-loving brothers and sisters, 

The first week of the Great Lent has come to an end, and on its first Sunday, called the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we traditionally celebrate the Triumph of our Orthodox Faith. This year the holiday is especially solemn, as the entire Church commemorates a great anniversary, namely the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, which took place in Nicaea near Constantinople in 325. It was at this Council that our Creed was approved.

Today we turn our eyes to the capital city of the Holy Emperor Constantine, because it was there where 5 years ago the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate was founded as a part of the Greek Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was on the day, when the Church also commemorates the First and Second Finding of the Precious Head of St. John the Baptist, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the eighth Archbishop of America elected since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, signed the decree that established our Vicariate.

This modest 5th anniversary has a profound meaning for us. The foundation of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate was a continuation of the centuries-old missionary tradition of the Church of Constantinople. For many centuries it has been bringing the Word of Gospel to all nations. The same way as SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Great Enlighteners of Slavs, were sent out from Constantinople to bring the light of the Christian faith to the Slavic people, the Orthodox tradition today continues its missionary service with the creation of our Vicariate. The Slavic Orthodox Vicariate carefully weaves its threads into the tapestry of history, striving to help those who seek spiritual support and the opportunity to participate in the life of the Church.

On this day we praise the All-Merciful God for that great idea that He placed in the hearts of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy Synod, namely the idea to create the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate. This was an undertaking supported and blessed by them. It continues to develop thanks to the care and prayers of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. By the grace of God, our Slavic Orthodox Vicariate clergy nowadays consists of 25 members, including 20 priests, 2 protodeacons and 3 nuns, who serve in 11 parishes of the Vicariate located in different states as well as actively developing new missions.

The Slavic Orthodox Vicariate is also actively involved in the social service, striving not only to care for the spiritual life of the believers, but also to respond to the challenges of time. One of the most important areas of its activity is its missionary journalism. Orthodox newspapers, books and brochures are being published by the Vicariate, as well as articles on the issues of faith, history and spiritual life.

The Vicariate is actively working on developing new missionary projects aimed at expanding the scope of preaching and deepening its spiritual service. If there is God’s will, these initiatives will be implemented in the nearest future.

I thank the priests and clerics of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate for their dedicated service, fervent prayers and care for the faithful. I thank the laity and the parishioners for their prayers, support and active participation in the life and development of the parishes of the Vicariate. May we today, with one mind and one voice thank God for the opportunity to serve people here on American land, for the opportunity to preach the Word of God, and for the opportunity to work for glory of God. Therefore, I joyously address you with the liturgical exclamation, “Christ is among us! – He is and always will be“.  

May the All-Merciful Lord help us all persist on the path of saving our souls offered by the Great Lent with dignity and when the time comes with profound and inexpressible joy greet the bright Resurrection of Christ! 

With love in Christ,

Bishop-Elect Alexander of Nicopolis, Vicar
Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America