Christmas Message of Metropolitan Mark, Chairman of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Orthodox Apostolic Church

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the dawn of the Nativity approaches, we stand once more in awe of the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, the profound descent of the uncreated Light into the darkness of this fallen world. In the stillness of Bethlehem, the eternal Logos, begotten before all ages, is born in time and space, taking flesh from the ever-Virgin Theotokos. What greater mystery could we behold than God, who is beyond all comprehension, becoming fully man to draw us into His divine life?

Let us open our hearts to the grace of this season, allowing the radiance of Christ’s birth to illumine the innermost chambers of our being. The Nativity is not merely a historical event but a living reality, a call to ascend from the passions of this world into the healing presence of God, who makes His dwelling among us. Christ is born so that we might taste the fruits of the divine exchange: our mortality for His immortality, our sinfulness for His holiness, our estrangement for His boundless communion of love.

As we contemplate the profound humility of the God-Man, let us recommit ourselves to the life of the Church, where heaven and earth meet in the holy Mysteries. It is in the Eucharistic gathering, the communion of saints, and the life of prayer that we ascend to the heights of the spiritual life. May we, like the Magi, lay before the Lord the treasures of our hearts, offering our lives in service to His Kingdom.

My prayer for both the Catholic Orthodox Apostolic Church and the Apostolic Orthodox Church in America is that we continue to embody the light of Christ in a world yearning for healing and redemption. In unity, let us witness to the truth of the Gospel, standing firm in the apostolic faith while reaching out with the tenderness of Christ’s love.

May the Light that shone in Bethlehem guide you, strengthen you, and fill you with joy in this holy season. Christ is born! Glorify Him!

In Christ's love,

++Mark