On the morning of Saturday, December 27, 2025, in the presence of Their Excellencies, Bishop Bruno Varianno, Patriarchal Vicar of the Latins in Cyprus, and Bishop Salim Sfeir, Maronite Archbishop in Cyprus, the priests and nuns of the Latin and Maronite Churches gathered at the Franciscan Convent of the Sacred Heart in Limassol. The atmosphere was filled with love and fraternity, reflecting the true joy of celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gathering commenced with a communal prayer, during which Christmas hymns resounded throughout the convent, followed by a spiritual reflection presented by Fr. Bernard Thilagarajah, Parish Priest of St Catherine Church for the Latins in Limassol. In his reflection, Fr. Bernard offered profound insights into the meaning of spiritual maturity, drawing upon biblical passages to illuminate its dimensions.
He highlighted that, in Jewish tradition, reaching the age of twelve or thirteen marked religious maturity, measured by one’s knowledge of the Torah. This context helps us understand the episode of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–52), where, at the age of twelve, He demonstrates that true maturity is defined not by age but by wisdom and knowledge of God. This insight resonates with Saint Paul’s teaching in the Letter to the Galatians, emphasizing that sonship to God is no longer determined by ethnic origin or adherence to the Law, but by faith in Christ: “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:26). Through baptism, believers “put on Christ” (Gal 3:27) and become spiritual descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:29). Paul’s declaration removes all divisions: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28), establishing a new family of God founded on equality and shared dignity. This vision continues to call the Church today to transcend every form of discrimination, confront social, cultural, and political divisions, and uphold the inherent dignity of every human being as created in the image of God and united in Christ.
Following the reflection, the gathering continued in a spirit of fraternal joy, featuring the distribution of Christmas gifts and a convivial meal that fostered fellowship among all participants. The occasion concluded with the exchange of warm greetings and heartfelt wishes for a new year filled with peace, happiness, and the abundant blessings of the Lord.
