The Church of Greece has called on families—especially wives—to support with love and understanding those who feel called to serve as ministers of the Church.
The appeal was made by the Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece in a pastoral message issued ahead of the Week of Priestly Vocations.
In the encyclical letter, the hierarchs recalled the Gospel words that “the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few”, stressing that workers in the Church must be faithful, upright and loving people.
The synodal fathers underlined that the priesthood is not a matter of human ambition or personal recognition, but a gift and a form of sacrificial service offered both to God and to humanity.
The Permanent Synod also explained the spiritual meaning of the Cross, which is presented to the faithful in the middle of Great Lent as a sign of victory, hope and life.
The Cross reminds believers that the path of sacrifice ultimately leads to the light of the Resurrection and reveals the true measure of love, sacrifice and responsibility, the Greek hierarchs said.
The pastoral message will be read in churches across Greece on the Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 15.
Photo: Church of Greece
