Today, beloved brethren, we once again lift our eyes unto Heaven and once more cry: “O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance” (Troparion at the Lity).

Saint Theophan the Recluse said: “What can be better or more perfect than to walk in the commandments of the Lord?” (Commentary on Ps. 118).

When a man seeks the true source of consolation — God — and finds Him, he becomes truly joyful and blessed. And St Anthony the Great teaches: “Where God is, there is no sorrow” (Apophthegmata, Anthony 5).

Today we again become witnesses of the mighty works of God accomplished for our salvation. The angels lately proclaimed the glad tidings of the Nativity of the Divine Infant, Who descended to earth and bent down the Heavens, that we might become citizens of Heaven. And now we behold the fulfilment of the Law of Moses — for today the Lord receives circumcision (Lk. 2:21).

Thus the covenant of God with man, given unto Abraham (Gen. 17:10–14), is sealed, wherein every male child was to receive this rite — a foreshadowing of the future Baptism.

The Holy Fathers teach that thereby the Lord instructs us in humility and obedience unto the Church. For He, having no sin, shall say at His Baptism unto John the Forerunner: “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Mt. 3:15) — the righteousness of God, which testifies to truth and to our salvation.

Beloved brethren, this day is great and joyous: the Lord hath received and fulfilled all that was needful for man to fulfil. During His earthly ministry for our salvation He shall endure the sufferings of the flesh, mockings and blows (Mt. 26:67), teaching mankind again and again meekness, humility and love. He instructs us to crucify the passions and vices (Gal. 5:24) and to “put on the new man” (Eph. 4:24), whom He revealed in His own Person.

Today the Church also commemorates the great servant of God — Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. He lived in the 4th century, and his life was filled with labours, ascetic struggles, fasting and prayer. Being highly educated, he taught that true knowledge leads to the knowledge of truth and of God. For a man who has studied the sciences does not carry the burden of knowledge upon his shoulders, but ever resorts to it for the knowledge of God, of himself, and of his salvation (cf. St Basil, Hexaemeron).

According to his life, the Saint had three paths: from home to the church, from the church to his spiritual father, and from his spiritual father back to the sciences. Through these paths the mystery of salvation was revealed to him (PG 29).

Great indeed are the labours and struggles of the Holy Fathers. Yet we often judge our neighbour, not understanding why he fasts, prays, keeps vigil and observes the appointed readings. These spiritual exercises are given for our edification, that we may abide in truth. For the Lord is Truth (Jn. 14:6), and he who abideth in God abideth in truth and walketh towards the quiet haven of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The constant remembrance of God preventeth us from forgetting that on earth we are strangers and pilgrims (Heb. 11:13), and that the Lord calleth: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

Every man who with prayer, patience and love beareth his cross (Mt. 16:24), revealeth meekness and humility and showeth us the royal path which the Lord Himself hath chosen. For He reminded men that life on earth is short (Ps. 38:6), but true life is in Heaven.

And therefore every feast, wherein we magnify Christ the Giver of Life — Who for us men and for our salvation was born of the Most Pure Virgin and fulfilled the Law of Moses (Nicene Creed) — is for us joyful and saving, reminding us ever to remain obedient unto the One and Undivided Trinity — the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!