FROM: THE ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS AND ALL GREECE, CHRYSOSTOMOS II PROTOCOL NO. 469 2/15 MAY, 2006 ENCYCLICAL
To: The Clergy, Monastics, and Laity of the Holy Metropolis of the Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of America
Beloved Children of our Lord,
Christos Anesti!
May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your hearts. I consider you as vital and chosen members of our church. For that reason my thoughts are always with you, especially during this recent period when God has allowed that your shepherd, the beloved brother in Christ, His Eminence Met Pavlos of America, be tested with a burdensome malady.
Your prayers, as well as all the prayers of all the members of the Church, have already been heard by our resurrected Lord, according to information that has reached Greece. The health of His Eminence has begun to greatly improve towards the glory of God! May the name of the Lord be blessed!
Until His Eminence has completely recovered I ask that you not only please continue in your supplicatory prayers towards the Lord, the All Holy Virgin, and all the Saints, but that you all should also with increased zeal ask of the Lord for the quick recovery and return of His Eminence to his duties as shepherd of his flock. Our Church, and the Greek Diaspora, is attacked by many enemies and is in serious need of his Eminence's leadership. The work and contributions of your venerable shepherd are priceless and irreplaceable. He is a bright beacon of Orthodoxy in America during these times that are so difficult and treacherous.
Throughout the duration of his recovery His Eminence Pavlos, besides needing your prayers, has a great need of something else, which your loving care can provide him. It is something easy and proper for all of you. For this reason I would ask you all to please heed the following:
His Eminence is in need of absolute quiet in order to recover quickly and thoroughly. I understand how much you all want to be near him during his trying time, and how much you all want his blessings. This tires him, stresses him, and delays his recovery. Have some patience, and have the hope that very quickly you will have the opportunity to joyfully see him conduct Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Markella and with his thunderous sermons be victorious over the enemies of Orthodoxy and Hellenism.
I hope that all of you, the clergy, the monastics, and the laity will heed my words and obey this commandment of the Church. Please, from henceforth absolutely no one is to visit His Eminence. You will be informed about his health from those who are designated to take care of him on a daily basis. Only those designated people have blessings to come into contact with His Eminence, and no one else. Those of us in Greece, who are so far from America, will also be informed about His Eminence's condition from those designated people.
May you have my blessing,
CHRYSOSTOMOS
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece