Ordination Speech

by H.E. Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, at the ordination of Alfredos Theodorou to the holy diaconate.

Beloved son in the Spirit, Alfredo,

Nothing in life happens by chance, but we believe that God in his providence ordains for things to take place at the proper time and the proper moment in life. For, as Scripture tells us, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc. 3:1).

The road to the priesthood or to the diaconate is not always an easy one, as you know very well. That is why St Paul spoke to you this morning through the Epistle reading (Heb. 3:12-16). And after the Liturgy today, or in the evening, go back and look once again at the Epistle reading so that you’ll find that message of St Paul to you.

But you will also recall that, during the Matin service, I pointed out to you that today is the feast of St Aristobulus. St Aristobulus was the first bishop of these lands. It is not by coincidence that you should be ordained on his feast day, for with the other saints in heaven — St Cuthbert, St Alban, St Bede, St Brigid, and so many more — they pray that these lands will be flourishing with the truth of Jesus Christ. And you have been called to serve the Church and preach that message.

You know we live in a world of troubled times; a world of confusion and a world of problems. And the only solution to all the problems of life and our world, is Jesus Christ. And in your own path of life, you have gone through turbulent times, but he is the One who stood by you, always waiting and saying: “Come into the embrace of my love”. He spoke to your heart. Not to your mind, but to your heart. That’s why he says in the Book of Proverbs, “My son, give me your heart” (23:26).

In our Tradition and our understanding of theology, there is a mystical marriage between the human being, the soul, and the divine. And on this day, you begin in another aspect of life, another level of that mystical marriage. Although a Christian, and soon to be a clergyman, but also one who will stand before the altar of God. And you’ll have that special moment during the Liturgy and during the Prothesis to pray for all your loved ones, to pray for those who love you, and even those who have slandered you. You see, we as clergy have that special moment and that gift that no one else has.

The Church as you know, and as I repeat constantly, is in need of clergy. We are growing, by God’s grace. It is not what we do as human beings, it’s what God allows us to do. And now, you will join the ranks of the clergy with Fr Kristian, who will oversee your ministry here. For you will serve here as a deacon of the Church.

Fr Vissarion came to be with us, as did Deacon John, of course joining Archdeacon George and myself, so that we can celebrate this great mystery today. Because when you leave the church in just an hour or so, you are going to be changed, transfigured from a worldly person into an ordained clergyman. You are not going to change physically, you are not going to change, perhaps, in your demeanor, but you’ll have a special grace given to you by God. It’s something invisible, something people can’t see, but we understand it and we feel it, as you will feel the Holy Spirit descend upon you.

In just a moment, I will invite you into the altar area, through the Royal Gates, through these gates through which only the clergy enter. But it will be your responsibility, along with Fr Kristian and the other clergy, to take people through the gates into Paradise. Paradise that was once closed became of our sins is now open again because of Jesus Christ and his love for the world. You’ll join Fr Kristian to minister to the people.

You will be a celibate clergyman; he’s a married clergyman. And with all that pressure, and all those things in life, first and foremost come Christ and the Church. And you must remember that in your own life. First and foremost come Christ and the Church, and then everything else falls into place (cf. Matt. 6:33). You’ve asked to be given the name Ambrosios, the name of one of the great saints of the Church, St Ambrose of Milan, who was also an author. He wrote many things and I hope that you will study his writings. Not only study them and read them, but take them into your heart. He’s one of those who speaks to us of Christ not only as the Good Shepherd, but who reveals him to us as the Good Samaritan. Read the writings of St Ambrose and be like him.

But i tell you one thing in closing. St John Chrysostom reminds us that, if we fall it is sinful; if we remain fallen, it’s devilish. We all fall in our lives, but you and I and others pick ourselves up and we continue our journey. We make mistakes, we make errors, we have shortcomings. Don’t worry about those things. The grace of God fulfils and completes what we are lacking. Remember only to have love in your heart and to be humble, and God will take care of everything else that you need in life.

You are blessed to serve in this church and this community, because it is indeed a community of love and of good people, and they will embrace you and strengthen you and guide you as you serve the people of God. Come now to receive the gift and the grace which has been prepared for you (cf. Matt. 25:34), according to God and his love for the world.