May 8, 2009
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS` REFLECTIONS ON MOTHER`S DAY
My dearly beloved in the Lord,
“Her children shall rise up and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28
This weekend we have the opportunity to celebrate a our mothers. In thinking about this special and blessed day, what comes to my mind is the awesome responsibilities of motherhood, as well as the joys. All aspects of our lives - our character, sense of responsibility, good and bad habits, ability to cope with difficulties, and piety - are shaped by our mothers. Mothers know that what a child learns and practices early will stay with them for life. Mothers know that it is their important and vital job to nurture and foster culture, language, education, spirituality, good habits, persistence, patience and fortitude in their children.

I can`t help but reflect on the past when the mother was the center and queen of the family, who bestowed happiness with her smile. She was the storyteller, sharing wisdom and moral lessons, and was always there when her children needed her. By giving direction and purpose to the lives of her children, she made the world a better place by bringing up positive children with love of God, patriotism and love of family. My prayer is that we could give this same precious legacy to our children today.

In our society today the lack of such a loving spiritual and moral foundation unfailingly manifests itself in a person`s character in later life. If we fail to pass on this gift to a child, he or she will almost certainly lose their way in our challenging and difficult world. This is why it is so important for parents to make every effort to lay a spiritual foundation for their children.

On Mother’s Day, while we celebrate and congratulate all our mothers, we should also reflect on what we may be losing, or what we have already lost. In this way, perhaps we can use the lessons of the past to improve the present and enhance the future of our children.

With these thoughts, I wish all our mothers Χρονια πολλα and a blessed and joyous Mother’s Day! As we continue to celebrate our Lord’s great victory over sin and death, I pray that we will open our hearts to receive this new life and light and rejoice in the Lord always. May Christ bless all our Metropolis family, keeping you in His loving care!
With paternal love in our Risen Lord,

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta