Metropolitan Jeronymos of Kampala presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral – Namungoona to celebrate the great feast of Christmas. His Eminence served along with the assistant cathedral dean, Fr. Stelios Kasule on the rainy Wednesday morning. After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Jeronymos read out the annual Patriarchal Nativity Encyclical in English. In his message, His Beatitude Theodore II Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa put much emphasis on peace which the Angels sang in the God-bearing manger of Bethlehem: ”Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
”The peace of Christ is not limited to festive occasions or moments of spiritual upliftment but calls every Christian to make it a permanent way of life. It is a constant call to live with faith, love and humility, making each of our days a living testimony of the divine light. In this way, the peace of Christ becomes a continuous stream of life, renewing our world and transforming human relationships, bringing hope and blessing to every age and every circumstance. At this time, the whole world, our planet, needs peace! Above all, peace, to continue to sustain itself!”, the Patriarchal letter read.
In his own sermon, Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi highlighted love as a component of renewal for all things. ”This sacred event reminds us of God’s boundless love for humanity and His desire to renew all things,” he said. As we celebrate Christmas, let us embody this love, blessing, doing good, and praying for our enemies. Our communion with God and all people leaves no room for enmity,” the hierarch concluded.
