On January 6, Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian served a Holy Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow, during his Pastoral Visit to the Armenian Catholic Communities of Russia.

At the beginning of his sermon, the Patriarch spoke of the sacrament of Christ’s birth:

“Christ who was born into poverty, not into the rich, into the dark cave became the Light that illuminates the world.”

And that Light who was born among the Shepherds, tells each of us to be just as meek, humble, indulgent and loving. Listening to that message, each of us must be a pastor in our calling, to do that pastoral life according to the example given to us.

The most remarkable thing that the Patriarch spoke of is that from now on Christ does not need to be born in a poor cave, but in our rich hearts; that heart must be rich in kindness, meekness, charity.

Concluding his speech, Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian mentioned that each of those present has a mission to become the loving person for: the needy, the abandoned, the sick, because they need this love and support, because this love can became a Light in their lives.

And in the end Patriarch said the following: “Let us love, not with words but with deeds.”

Written and translated by Anush Harutyunyan