BENEDICTUS DEUS IN ANGELIS SUIS, ET IN SANCTIS SUIS.
Most Reverend Father bishops, Very Reverend Father presbyters, Venerable Father deacons, Laudable monastics, and brothers and sisters of the Universal Church;
God is the Lord and has revealed himself onto us: Blessed is He who comes with the Name of the Lord! (Ps 117:27)
On this 6th day of the 6th month in commemoration of the Holy Ascension of our Lord and Saviour in the flesh Jesus Christ in this year of our Lord 2019 AD, the Lord’s Grace bestowed on his saints is thus manifested. “All that is kept in secret will be disclosed at the appointed time, and all which is concealed in darkness, the light will expose for all to see!” (Lk 8:17)
Thus, it is pleasing to the All Holy Trinity that our father amongst the hierarchs METROPOLITAN PETROS OF ASTORIA (19715-1997) is adorned with the crown and title: Shepherd, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church! Furthermore, the Wisdom from on High who came to dwell amongst us (Jesus the Lord) awakening our souls to the sound of his Name has challenged us once again in the political upheaval of ecclesial disputes and national meddling within the walls of the instituted church.
Hence, in the tradition of the defenders of the true faith Sts. Nicholas of Myra, Spyridon of Thrimythous, Ambrose of Milan, Cyril of Alexandria, Maximus the Confessor, and Mark of Ephesus, along with the Great Apologists and Theologians of Holy Mother Church Sts. Gregory Nazianzus, John Chrysostom and Basil the Great, our Father amongst the hierarchs demonstrated holy resistance against the ancient rebellion who appears as the angel of light through deception.
Furthermore, this Apostle to America became a true light for the Church in the Diaspora which dwelt amidst the darkness of error. Hence, with steadfastness of faith, he was as earthly salt which never loses its flavour within the extraordinary Gift of resilience rendered in the Ministry of true Apostleship and Homiletics.
It is my paternal joy and privilege as Apostle of Australia to now acclaim the Servant of God METROPOLITAN PETROS OF ASTORIA amongst the Saints. The Lord’s name is blessed amongst his holy ones and it is our duty to testify to the glorious Presence of the Father Pantocrator within our Holy Exarchate in this great land traced with the Glorious Cross via the formation of starts in the southern skies.
Hence, the whole Church gathered for the vigil Divine Liturgy written by our Father amongst the Apostles Mark: Evangelist of the Lord and bishop of Alexandria. Thus, via the grace of the all Holy Spirit according to the succession of the Apostles bestowed on us in Christ who is Divine Bishop of his Church, this servant of God who was kept in the dark due to institutional fragility and adverse powers was canonized!
All clergy are to commemorate our father amongst the Hierarchs Metropolitan Petros of Astoria within the Canon of Hierarchs at the service of the proskemedia (preparation of gifts). Furthermore, the icon attached to this Exarchal decree is to be installed in each church with the offering of incense and following hymnodies.
Troparion Hymn (tone 4)
O, holy Apostle of Christ, the holy Martyr Markella prophesied by the miracle of the waters the dignity of the priesthood later bestowed you. Intercede o holy father for us below, that we may mirror your life in the service of Christ and his vineyard: working tirelessly for the conversion of souls.
Kontakion Hymn (tone 6)
O holy martyr you were a fine athlete who fought the good fight and brought many to Christ. Pray that we His body below may bring many to the Apostolic Church with the rendering of true faith, wholehearted deeds, and selfless love. Pray unceasingly o Father Metropolitan Petros that we like you, may one day stand by the throne of the All-Holy Trinity interceding for the salvation of all souls below.
With and in the joy of Christ who is Bishop of his Church, his Holy Apostles and their Venerable Successors,
The Apostolic Authority of the Australian Exarchate
+Raffaele
Archbishop of Melbourne.
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