To the Brethren Abroad

At the beginning of this Great Lent, I am addressing, first, the brethren in the Orthodox Youth Movement (MJO). I allow myself to address you, empowered by your love. You have all learned that the poor, of whichever religion or sect… is the face of a god. Today, you see him in your new places. Yet, here, he remains ever in cities and villages that cannot let go of you, cities and villages some of which have quaked; he has been implanted in your eyes by one of your elder brethren since he called you to open your Holy Bible. Wherever we are, at home or abroad, we migrate when we abandon the call of the Word. The estrangement is accomplished, that is, it is complete, when we forsake the commandments of the Scriptures, when we silence the voice of God in our consciences (telling us) that He is the poor among us. Today, there are some of you who are giving out of “their bread” to their brethren here. I call on all of you, especially those among you who are capable, to commit to this ingenuity in love. Participate from afar in a ministry in the launching of which you were pioneers. May you be kept to be brethren.