“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” John 1:14 RSV
Every Sunday we sing “Christ is revealed among us”, and we emphasis the importance and beauty of God becoming man in order to be physically present with His beloved children. Christ spent the majority of his ministry being present with all those who seek Him. And likewise, Christ has given pastors this beautiful calling and blessed service of being physically present with all those who seek God in their lives. St. John Chrysostom teaches that “the Church is a hospital for the sick”. That is why priests are called healers of soul and body. As your pastor I seek to establish this relationship with you, to grow and heal together in Christ’s love.
If you would like a pastoral visitation please contact me directly at fr.andreasg@gmail.com. All conversations are kept confidential and private.
Wondering where and how a pastoral visitation works? Here are some ideas.
Tea or Coffee?
A pastoral visitation does not have to be something formal. It can be as easy as getting together at a local coffee shop for conversation. Conversation can be theological, personal, spiritual, educational or about anything you want to share.
Hospital Visitation
Most people didn’t know but you can invite your pastor to do visitations in the hospital. When we or a loved one is sick, often time we try to hide our sickness and weakness. As pastor’s we desire to always be with you, when you are well and when you are weak.
Christ teaches us, “‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” Matt. 25:34-36 RSV
Home Blessing Prayers
Traditionally after Christmas and Easter, as well as when moving or renting into a new home or work place, families invite their pastor to their homes for a special prayer and blessing. The blessing is for the place you live and work. It is also part of our heritage as Armenians filled with hymns and the Word of God.
Confessional
Confessions are the most intimate form of pastoral visitation and they are formed after a long personal relationship with the pastor. The confession is a sacrament of the Church and is always done in the Church facing the Holy Altar, because regardless of the individual priest standing in front of you, as Orthodox Christians we understand that the confession is not made to the priest, but to Christ, and the priest stands only as witness and guide. Confessions are also known as a “healing sacrament” because when we seek Christ’s healing presence in our lives we must repent and humble ourselves admitting we are sinners and only through Christ can we be saved.
Did you know that all confession’s are legally kept confidential?
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10 RSV
If you have any questions about confession or any of the Holy Sacraments of the Church please contact Fr. Andreas directly at fr.andreasg@gmail.com