Greeting from the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Charity to the Participants of the All-Kazakhstan Congress “Serving One’s Neighbor”

Your Eminence!

Dear Fathers, brothers and sisters!

Allow me to extend my heartfelt greetings to you, the laborers of mercy of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and to thank you sincerely for your zeal in performing works of Christian love to the glory of the Great Name of the Holy Trinity!

The title of the congress now being held in your diocese expresses the very essence of life in Christ, for “the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many,” as the Lord says of Himself (Mt. 20:28). This means that whoever diligently, sincerely and selflessly serves the needs of others imitates the Son of God; it means that through serving our fellow human beings we may find our dwelling at the right hand of the Son of God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Let us give thanks to God for the great gift of His mercy bestowed upon us – the opportunity to participate in the Church’s ministry to our neighbor! In doing so, we follow our calling, for “we are created unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

Goodness tends the wounds of souls, heals bodies and fills with joy those to whom good is done; yet it gives even more to those who practice it, for “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” according to the words of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:35). This is the blessedness of the children of God, and whoever has once tasted this blessedness of true love will surely seek it again – the joy of serving one’s neighbor.

I prayerfully wish you fruitful work and God’s assistance in your holy ministry! May God grant that love never diminish in our hearts, so that we may share it with everyone in need, for works of love are the finest proclamation of God, Who is Love.

With love in Christ,

Archpriest Mikhail Potokin

Chairman of the Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry

of the Russian Orthodox Church