His Eminence The Most Reverend
Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of
All North America

ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE
OF NORTH AMERICA

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Is 40:8
Palm Sunday 2019

Beloved in Christ:

Blessings and greetings to you and your families on the day of this Great Feast!

Having  completed  the  forty-day  Fast,  we  take  time  before  entering  into  Holy  Week  to
celebrate  the  raising  of  Lazarus  and  our  Lord’s  triumphant  entry  into  the  holy  city 
of Jerusalem  before  His  salvific  passion  and  resurrection.  Christ’s  raising  of  Lazarus 
is  a prototype of our bodily resurrection, and His entry into Jerusalem confirms his kingship of
humility and love, not egoism and the sword.

The historical settings of these two decisive events bring us back to the Middle East and our
Mother Church. While we are hopeful that the terrible war that has plagued Syria for the past
several years is coming to an end, its effects on the people both of Syria and Lebanon will be felt
for generations. As they turn from this time  of war  and suffering to  one of hope and rebuilding,
we must continue to stand with our Father in Christ, Patriarch JOHN X, and the daunting task he
faces. Let us help him to ensure that our Church will remain both a beacon of hope to the suffering
and displaced and a leader in the efforts to rebuild and restore the brokenness of the people.

Today, as we celebrate this glorious feast, let us remember our beloved Mother Church as She 
undertakes  this  holy  work.  In  addition  to  offering  up  prayers,  let  us  also  offer  up
donations so that we might put our faith into action. While most of us will never visit Syria, we
can still do our part to help alleviate the pain and suffering and instill a ray of hope into the
hearts and souls of the people.

Wishing you a solemn Holy Week and a most joyous Pascha, I remain, Your Father in Christ,

+JOSEPH

Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11: 26)

358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238
(201) 871-1355 T    Archdiocese@antiochian.org    (201) 871-7954 F