The Feast of the Maternity of St Anne was first kept in the monasteries of Palestine in the eighth century under the title of "The Conception by Anne of the Holy Theotokos.” The Feast has had a checkered history particularly in the West because of the theological implications that came to be associated with it. Suffice it to say, the belief that Our Lady was conceived free from original sin has been one of the most debated and vigorously disputed theological propositions in the history of the Universal Church.
In the western church, the feast, and its developed doctrine, became known as The Immaculate Conception. As you know, this dogma was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854, and, for western Catholics, this definition is probably ever associated with the later miraculous events at Lourdes and favours granted to St Bernadette Soubirous.
Today is the prelude, as it were, to that salvation which is in Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to the divinization, the theosis, of humanity and the entire creation for in Him all things are made new.
In the theology of the Eastern Churches the event we commemorate takes its significance solely and directly from the Christological Mystery – that the Eternal Word came into this world to save sinners – and, to this we might add, that He chose to do so with the freely given consent of the Virgin Maid of Nazareth.
There comes to mind but a few of the salutations from the Akathistos Hymn – "Hail, O Star that heralds the Dawn; Hail, Restoration of the Fallen Adam; Hail, Redemption of the tears of Eve, Hail, Key to the Doors of Paradise.”
Thus as we rejoice at today’s feast, we look forward to the Divine Incarnation – the Mystery in which the Virgin Mary fulfils her destiny and on account of which she was granted extraordinary privileges.
I would take this opportunity to wish a happy name day to any of you who are named Anna or Anne, today being the day we celebrate your patronal saint.
The second cause of our joy this evening is, of course, the ordination of Deacon Andrea to the order of priest to serve the sacred altars of our Holy Eparchy. The ordination of a priest is indeed an occasion for rejoicing and thanksgiving not only for the priest and his family but for the community and, indeed, the whole church.
From the earliest times the Church has required that a man be ordained to the service of particular eparchy or diocese, religious community or monastery. There is no such thing as a priest-at-large, a freelance presbyter. The real meaning of priesthood, however, is to be found beyond the canonical requirements for the priest can only find his purpose, the priesthood its raison d’être, in relation to the ministry of Jesus Christ, our Great and Eternal High Priest, who is now the Celebrant of the Heavenly Liturgy in the sanctuary which is beyond the veil.
For the one called to the priesthood his most immediate model must be that of Jesus Christ who, putting aside his glory, entered this world to serve not to be served, and for this, a man, in fear and trembling, accepts the gift of priesthood – that he, like his Master, might be a servant of all the brethren, and indeed, of all humankind.
Today, as we lay our sinful hand on Andrea, and as we invoke the Holy Spirit, for him to be a priest, we would share with him and all the priests a few thoughts from the heart –
1. The priest, as with all the faithful, is called to live the Life in Christ.
In doing so, he must make use of all the spiritual assistance that is available to him – private and collective prayer must be at the heart of the priest identity. There must be regular confession, spiritual reading, guidance by a spiritual elder and times of retreat. Above all, there must be the careful and devout celebration of the Divine Liturgy as it has been handed down to us by our Fathers.
And, dear son, you will do all these things most fruitfully and most joyfully if you place your daily ministry under the patronage of the Most Blessed Theotokos.
2. The priest is a servant of love.
The love the priest has for his parish should be without limit. Especially, he must take as his model the Good and Faithful Shepherd, for the priest must seek out those far off, especially those who have strayed from the sheep fold. The priest must imitate the Divine Physician and minister to those who are sick in body, mind and spirit. The priest must be as the Master, the Divine Philanthropist, in His encounter with the weak, the distressed and the elderly.
And, dear son, you will do all these things most fruitfully and most joyfully if daily you read and take to heart the accounts in the Holy Gospel of the like things done by the Master
3. The priest must be a follower of Christ crucified.
Every Christian is called to be a cross-bearer. This is the condition that Jesus placed upon discipleship. In the East we call the Cross, "holy, precious and life-giving,” from today on your Christian life, Andrea, and your priestly service can in no way be separated from the Mystery of the Cross. Enter into that Mystery - abandon yourself, surrender your will, give all you possess to Christ Crucified – and you will share the triumph of Christ risen in glory. It is true that from now on there will be times that the cross you have taken up will seem almost beyond your endurance, but you will find the necessary strength because you carry your cross in love – and in that love we are convinced of the words of Jesus, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
And, dear son, you will do all these things most fruitfully and most joyfully
if daily you place yourself, in prayer, at the service of the Master who
despises not His wounds even in the glory of Heaven.
We have chosen as your first pastoral appointment for you to be assistant and partner of the pastor of this parish of St Joseph. As you co-operate with him in the service of the Gospel bring to this parish your good nature, kind heart, apostolic enthusiasm, theological knowledge, and, especially, we commend to you, as to all our priests, the special needs of the young, the sick and the elderly.
Also, we appoint you as chaplain to the elderly residents of the Assisi Centre. Love them, care for them and serve them so that in you they will see that it is truly Jesus Christ who ministers to them, and, I am sure that amongst them you will find many brothers and sisters for you and you family. It is my prayerful hope that your Assisi chaplaincy will be the beginning of a fruitful co-operation between the Centre and our Eparchy.
I congratulate first your wife, Theresa, who from tonight will be the Khouryeh. I am certain that she will be a great support for your priesthood as she accompanies you in prayer and love and, wherever possible, in the works of your ministry. Indeed, from now on, she is very much a co-worker with you in the vineyard of the Lord.
Many people do not know that the bishop cannot ordain a married man without the written consent of his wife. In giving that consent she accepts for herself and her children the same invitation the Lord offers her husband: "Take up your cross and follow me.”
In the Russian Church, the priest’s wife is called "little mother” – for that is what many look for in the kouryeh – the maternal love, gentleness and warmth of spirit that only a mother can offer. I am sure, Theresa, that in you they will not be disappointed.
As I did at Andrea’s ordination to the diaconate, I commend you to the prayers of the holy, apostolic women, who have served the Church throughout the ages, and especially, to those who nurtured the church of the first believers.
Andrea, for my own part, and in the name of my brother priests, I congratulate you because you have chosen the better part – you have chosen not only to hear the words of the Master, but to take them to heart. I congratulate you as you set out upon a new path tonight – the path of holiness, sacrifice and self-giving.
I assure you that in the bishop you will always find unfailing love – the love of a father for his son, the love of a brother for his brother.
May God bless you and fix your steps in the way of all righteousness.
And now to the Lord, Jesus Christ, who brings to perfection all things in Himself, be all honour, glory and thanksgiving, for ever and ever. Amen.