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Feast of the Synaxis of
The Holy Archangels


To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America


Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On November 8, our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels. On this date, we honor the divinely created and appointed messenger of God and awesome and glorious protector, the Archangel Gabriel and the Archangel Michael. Among these Archangels, we also commemorate the myriad of angelic beings who never cease in praising and glorifying God and laboring for the fulfillment of His Kingdom (Revelation 5:11-13). The Holy Scriptures describe the holy angels as "ministering spirits sent forth to serve for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). 

In recognition of the important role of the Holy angels of God, and on the occasion of this most glorious Feast of our Church, our Archdiocese has set aside this day each year in tribute to the work of Saint Michael’s Home, the sole Greek Orthodox home for the aged in the United States, named after the Archangel Michael. Saint Michael’s Home has been providing care to older people in need from throughout our nation now for more than 49 years. It is truly a Home in every sense of the word, for it is a place that offers Christian love, community, and dignity. The ministry of Saint Michael’s Home is a vital one that directly impacts the lives of those who reside there and their family members. The operating budget for the Home depends largely on donations from our Orthodox Christian faithful. Thus, your support of this sacred ministry is always needed. Accordingly, in annual observance, our parishes will be passing a special tray for Saint Michael’s Home this Sunday, November 11. Any additional contributions that you would like to offer should be made payable to Saint Michael’s Home and sent to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Your offerings will benefit not only the residents of Saint Michael’s Home, but will also support its continued growth and expansion so that even higher levels of care may be offered to those in need in the future, particularly as more and more people are coming to reside at the Home from many areas of our country. 

On this Feast as we celebrate and give thanks to God for the continued presence of the Holy Archangels in our lives, I ask that we keep the residents of Saint Michael’s Home and their families in our prayers. I also ask that we pray for the continued good work of the directors, board, staff, and volunteers of the Home, as their work affirms the sacredness and dignity of human life at all ages. May the divine protection of the Holy Archangels be with you always, and may you emulate them in your worship of God and in ministry unto others in His holy name.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
Archive: Archbishop Demetrios' Encyclicals