12/21/2024
December 16th, 2024
Dear parishioners, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As the saying goes, all good things in life some day will come to an end. Or, according to the words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “Panta rei!,” which means – everything flows, everything changes. Only God is unchangeable. “But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,
And the remembrance of Your name to all generations (Psalm 102, 12).” After almost 37 years among you and 40 years in priesthood, my pastoral duties at our beloved St. George here in Syracuse will conclude by the end of 2024.
On May 24th, 1988, on the day when our Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric celebrates the feast day of the pan-Slavic and Macedonian illuminators, and equal to the apostles – Sts Cyril and Methodius, by the will of God and His holy providence, I was sent among you as your spiritual pastor, and by that analogy – following their work, to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ here in Syracuse. My first Liturgy was on the day of the Pentecost, the Desсent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. That day is considered to be the birth of the Holy Church of Christ. Since then, the Body of Christ, which is the Church, started to spread unstoppably from Jerusalem to the whole world. If I can find any symbolism in this, it is that for us as a Macedonian community, this was the time when our shared revival and growth started after our humble beginnings. As a person, pastor and presbyter, that individual growth was entirely possible because from the very beginning you accepted me, along with my beloved presbytera and our young family, as a part of your family. This is how we wove together almost 37 wonderful years in our community. For that, on behalf of my family and myself – THANK YOU.
I am writing this message to you filled with emotion, memories and immense gratitude. You accepted us with open arms, but more than that, with an open heart and soul. Thank you for opening your homes to me where, doing my pastoral mission, I had the opportunity to be a part of your joyous and happy occasions, and when it was needed – to share in your overwhelming sorrow. According to the words of Christ, may the peace and His blessing come upon every home which cordially received me in (Luke 10, 5). I remember every birthday, every graduation, every christening, wedding, anniversary; I also remember every sending to eternity of our beloved ones; I remember the names of all of you and I will try to preserve them within me as long as my memory serves me. I have to say, however, I will greatly miss the hugs from our youngest members - the children, and their unconditional love.
I remember all of our common gatherings at the church: the general assembly meetings, where we discussed, and sometimes we argued, for what is best for the prosperity and the future of our church; I remember the celebrations honoring various events, the fundraisers, the festivals and everything our church has to offer to us – to feel like home, being far away of our native homeland, Macedonia.
On this occasion I would like to especially thank all presidents, Church Boards, Ladies Auxiliaries, and all other committees for the extraordinary cooperation and support of all the capital projects that were of vital interest to the church. As a result of this, we rightfully say, our church looks beautiful from the outside and even more beautiful on the inside. This especially applies to the exceptional iconography we have in the church. Our church became one of the most respected in the American-Canadian Macedonian Diocese and well respected from all Orthodox Churches in Syracuse and beyond. Most of all, I would like to believe that this also contributed and inspired the spiritual life and growth of our members. For that, my spiritual joy will always be great!
On December 28th, otec Aleksandar Bozhinoski is arriving and replacing me in the parish duties. I urge you all to accept him and his family with open arms, so they can also feel the warmth of the reception that my family and I felt and were greeted with. That is how our St. George Church will not just continue on its way but will also prosper.
Regardless of the fact that I am not going to be a parish priest any longer, I will continue to serve God and His Church anywhere I am needed. According to the words of one of my professors, “Man can serve the Good (God), from anywhere.” For us, our ultimate Good is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In other words, as the psalmist king and prophet David says, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord” (Psalm 104, 33-35).
You, dear brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Come to Church more often, light a candle, and give thanks to the Lord! Thus, "We will praise the name of God with a song; we will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). Keep our beautiful Christian Orthodox Faith; preserve our Macedonian bright traditions and customs, TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH!
Come to church and attend the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, December 22nd, to offer prayers together and to thank God, for this will be my last service as your parish priest. Come also on Saturday, January 11th, 2025, to celebrate our almost 37 years together!
May God, through the prayers of our patron saint – St. George, the Great Martyr, abundantly bestow His blessings upon all of you and may He return good things for goodness you showed to me and my family. Once again, "I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:4).
With pastoral love in Christ the Lord,
Archpriest, Father Branko Postolovski
