Christmas Message of the Metropolitan of Singapore and South-East Asia, SERGIY to the Most Reverend archpastors, the clergy, monastics and all the orthodox flock of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia.

Most reverend archpastors, all-honourable fathers, beloved brothers and sisters,

With all my heart I greet you on the joyful and salvific Feast of the Nativity of Christ!

Celebrating this wondrous event manifesting the fullness of the unfathomable love and mercy of God, the Holy Church bears witness that the Nativity of Christ has shone to the world the Light of knowledge (Troparion of the Feast) – the true knowledge of the Maker. We are fortunate, for every one of us has been illumined by the rays of this heavenly unfading light.

But look around: the world which according to the Holy Scripture lies in wickedness (1 Jn. 5:19) is now practically drowning in it. Seeing this, we should not be indifferent, let alone despair. Our duty as Orthodox Christians is to do what we can to facilitate the triumph of goodness and light over evil and darkness. So what can we do? First of all, we need to remember that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). We need to be well aware that the devil – the original archenemy of humankind­ who was cast down from heaven by God – is ever watchful and at war.

Regrettably, a lot of people get involved in his destructive work. Yet we, the faithful who have the mighty and invincible Helper and Protector, can and must hold out against this warfare by means of profound spiritual labour aimed at building up peace and goodness on earth – starting with ourselves, our families, our neighbours. Each and every one of us is called to oppose sin by virtue, and godless life by prayer, repentance, improvement and deeds of mercy commanded to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The more goodness there is in the world, the less room there will be for evil because, according to the holy Church Fathers, evil does not exist on its own, but only emerges when good is waning – just like darkness, which has no source of its own, spreads when light fades. So, as warriors of Christ, let us bring to the world the light of faith and love!

Again and again I congratulate you, my dears, on this feast day!

With love in the Divine Infant Christ,

+ SERGIY

Metropolitan of Singapore and South-East Asia

Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia

Nativity of Christ

2025

Singapore