COLLEGE STUDENT SUNDAY
COLLEGE STUDENT SUNDAY
September 16th/30th, 2012
The light of your countenance has been impressed on us, O Lord. Alleluia!
(The Communion Hymn of the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross)
Beloved Clergy, Godly Monastics and Blessed Faithful:
On behalf of the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, we greet you during this great and solemn Feast of the Elevation of the Holy, Precious and Life-giving Cross. In these days we reflect on the salvation wrought by our Lord, Jesus Christ, when He was lifted up thereon, calling all people to Himself (John 12:32). The Communion Hymn quoted above tells us that while enduring the horrific experience of His Crucifixion, our Lord shown forth Light and Life from His Divine Face. We rejoice in that light, and we also pause to give our attention to the more than 40,000 Orthodox students who have recently returned to their college campuses for another year of study. On this annual College Student Sunday, we are thankful for the opportunities they are given to further their education. Far too many of them, however, will be unaware of the Light of Christ as they face a challenging spiritual environment which far too often values freedom over responsibility, excess over moderation and pure reason over humility.
