Diakonia Message – Nativity Feast 2022

Diakonia Message – Nativity Feast 2022

My Beloved, the Blessed Supporters of the Diakonia Service,

It is my pleasure to wish you a happy New Year and blessed Feast of Nativity.
The Diakonia and Development Department of the Diocese of Los Angeles, led by His Grace Bishop Abraham, is working diligently to serve those who are in need. The Diakonia and Development Department offers many different services – for the newcomers, the Arabic-speaking youth, the seniors, the kids who need special care, the sick, the prisoners, and the addicts. All these services show the different fields that the church can go to in the ministry of her children and express the spirit of the church to serve those who are in need, especially those who are ignored and neglected.

The Diakonia and Development Department takes the example of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples as the model of service. When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He said to them,

“Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)

The service of washing the feet is an application of Christ’s teachings to His disciples that we must learn to follow as His children. The service of washing the feet is a service of humility and it is the path to righteousness. The righteous person is the one who becomes a servant for everyone. As Jesus said to His disciples when they argued with each other about who was the greatest among them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”(Mark 9:35)

This is a divine call for us all as we begin a new year to serve all with pure love and true
humility, following the example of our Lord who was incarnate to save us all. May God bless the Diakonia and Development Department, and may God bless you and reward you for your contributions to the service of those in need.

Metropolitan Serapion
Of Los Angeles, Southern California & Hawaii
December 2021