Jubilee Year 2000

My Dear Faithful,

              The celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000 should be for us Melkite Christians, heirs  of the gospel of Christ, a realization of the importance to carry with courage and with determination on the work of the Redemption which has been given to us at Baptism.  More than ever, this is the time not to be discouraged like those relatives and friends of the Gospel story who lamented the passing of Jairus’ daughter: “the child is not dead.  She is just asleep.” (Luke 8: 40-56) No!  The world is not dead.  It is only dormant.  And we are the ones to waking up again.  God wants all men and women to be saved and to reach to His knowledge.  God has associated all of us with His wonderful work.  

The Jubilee offers us a favorable occasion to become more aware of our Christian calling and to see how we are responding to it.  The Lord promised His Apostles “a power from on high” in order to open their eyes and “help them to understand the Scriptures.”  This promise is still valid because God is full of tender mercy and kindness toward us.  We are to measure up against such compassion with an open ear to listen to the voice of His Spirit.  This Spirit is the Spirit of holiness,  the unique way or expression to commune with God.  The Jubilee Year then should constitute for us an appeal to holiness, if we intend to follow Christ like the Apostles did.  

During the past twenty centuries, and in spite of some historical adversities, our ancestors in faith have passed on their vision and vigor to us in order to live according to His holiness.  Let us then remain faithful to their heritage because it will allow us to be permanently in contact with our roots which are so rich in tradition and spiritual treasures.  

Please accept, my dear sons and daughters, my fatherly love, blessing, and my prayers accompanying each and all of you as you journey in the peace of the Lord.

Maximos V

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, 

of Alexandria and of Jerusalem