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 7th day of the 1st month in commemoration of the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Saviour in the flesh Jesus Christ in the 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 CHRYSOSTOM OF FLORINA (1870-1955) is adorned with the crown and title: Shepherd and Doctor of the Church! Furthermore, the Wisdom from on High who came to dwell amongst us (Jesus the Lord) who awakens 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. Mark of Ephesus, Spyridon of Thrimythous, Nicholas of Myrna, and Ambrose of Milan 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 of Florina became a true light for the Church amidst the darkness of error and steadfastness as earthly salt which never loses its flavour within the extraordinary Gift of resilience and Ministry of a true Apostle and Homilist.
It is my paternal joy and privilege as Apostle of Australia to now acclaim the Servant of God METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOM OF FLORINA 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 midnight Divine Liturgy written by our Father amongst the Apostles James: brother of the Lord and bishop of Zion. 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 Chrysostom of Florina 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)
Holy Metropolitan Chrysostom, you were a true shepherd to the people of Hellenic lands in a time of futile persecution; those who once were your friends in Christ repeated the betrayal Judas Iscariot rendered onto the Saviour and Bishop of the Church. Hence, like Christ who is the suffering servant as prophesised by Holy Isaiah; you were led through many trials and bitter tribulations for protecting the true faith – Holy Apostle of Orthodoxy intercede to the Lord to bless his Church and free us from harm!
Kontakion Hymn (tone 6)
Holy Father of the see of Florina, you were a true labourer in Christ’s vineyard, for you worked ceaselessly to bring the scattered sheep back into Christ’s fold. May you who lead by Christ’s example of unconditional love for all people intercede to the Lord of the harvest; that the Church on earth may never stray from being the very icon of his love and mercy in the world. Your Heart followed the Good Shepherd who always safeguarded the life of his sheep - help us in our struggles as you intercede to the Lord that through his grace; may we bear much fruit in this new Apostolic and great Australian land!
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
To view a biography of Saint Chrysostom, please follow the link below:
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