Hrizostom: Without goodwill among people there is no peace on earth

(Patria) - Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia Hrizostom, in his Christmas and New Year message, today, in a festive atmosphere, greeted 'with great love and respect the Muslim and Jewish brothers who together with us share the Abrahamic heritage of faith in the one God', and greeted 'all people of goodwill—regardless of their religion or faith'.

"We have many reasons to be joyful—instead of being sorrowful, cheerful—instead of being sad. God is with us and He delivers us from the gloom of this world and time. The time we live in, the circumstances and conditions we are in, are difficult and discouraging, but we do not lose hope and faith and God's help. A better tomorrow is precisely Christmas—a holiday that not only reminds us of that, but also calls us to believe and to hope, and not to allow evil people and evil times to discourage us. Christmas is a universal holiday—of every creation and every person, of all people and all times. Therefore, we congratulate it to everyone and to each one," said Metropolitan Hrizostom.

He added that glory should be given to God, and respect to man—neighbor and distant.

"Without goodwill among people there is no peace on earth, nor glory to God in the highest. Let us pause for a moment from this daily rush of ours and collect ourselves. Let us think: who are we and what are we and where are we going!? Christmas is not just for celebration. Christmas is a call to change, to become better people through Him, richer in faith, stronger in love and hope. Above all, let us be filled with goodness, with which He enriches us. Christmas is a spiritual rebirth," said the Metropolitan once again appealing 'that Christmas not pass exclusively in various manifestations and material pleasures, but that we enrich ourselves with higher and more elevated values, which God always and constantly brings and gives us", said Hrizostom at the seat of the Metropolitanate of Dabar-Bosnia, in Sarajevo.