“Love the Lord, thy God, with thy whole heart, thy whole mind and thy whole strength; and love thy neighbor as thyself. This is the whole of the Law and the prophets.”

Throughout history the month of January held different beliefs for everyone. In American culture and other places around the world, it is viewed as the mark of a New Year. What we tend to forget is that January is the marking of a New Year according to the Gregorian calender. Different religions around the world, including the U.S., have already celebrated their New Year together starting as early as September.

Rosh Hashanna marks the start of other New Years throughout the world. It is the first High Holiday for the Jewish communities. Rosh Hashanna is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, as ordained in the Torah, in Leviticus 23:24.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is next with their New Year starting around September 11th of the Gregorian calender. Most neo-Pagan religions celebrate New Years on Samhain with we commonly refer to as Halloween, October 31st. Leaving the Muslim religions celebrating on the first of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of the Muslim calender and can occur anytime between the Gregorian December 18th and January 16th.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates New Years on the 14th of January. Since that day is actually January 1st according to the Julian Calender. The Chinese New Years celebration can occur anytime between January 21st and February 21st.

Behind it all New Years can occur anytime of year depending on your beliefs and traditions. That is why here at The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we have marked the Gregorian month of January as a Time of Beginnings. We encourage you to find those things in your life that you long to change and attempt it. Perhaps you have wished you could have done more last year to help others. It is never too late and you should make that a part of your new beginnings.

If there is one thing that should be noted, it is that all religions and customs believe in a new beginning at some point through the year. Why not make your new beginning now, no matter what your beliefs. Perhaps you had your new year and just need to start again because of personal reasons. I personally will strive to dedicate my life more to having fun as my new beginning. Take a moment and meditate on yours.

Yours in Faith,

Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.

Presiding Archbishop

Please allow me to be the first to formally welcome you into The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith. We are considered an Interdenominational network, meaning that we welcome all different religious backgrounds and beliefs as one. We believe the strict adage of there is only one God who is called by many names. When you stop and remove all the different names for God, and remove the religious structures of each church and denomination you will find that we all have the same message…Love.

At The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we ask all of you to follow two commandments that unite us all. The first one is “Honor your God”. It should be noted that we say your God and not our God. We want you to have a personal connection with your maker. This goes back to only one God with many names.

The second of two commandments that unites us all is, “love thy neighbor”. This sounds a lot easier then what it really is. At The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we have open communion to all. We believe that by loving your neighbor we are promoting a world that everyone would want to live in, not just the privileged. Several of our own are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, African American, Irish, German, Muslim, Christian, Pagan, Jewish, handicap, young, and old. This list could go on forever. If you stop and look at the second commandment you learn that when you discriminate against your neighbor, it will only come back to hurt you later.

With that said, we invite you and your family and friends with open arms. We are here to assist you in your spiritual needs. Our services are friendly to all people. Don't get dressed up on our account, just be you. Jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, hats, piercings, tattoos, sweaters, dresses, we don't care what you are wearing as long as you are dressed. No one said that going to worship had to be difficult. Also, for all of our prayers you have a personal choice to either kneel, stand, or sit. We don't ask that you do anything else besides pray & worship. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Yours In Faith,

Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.

Presiding Archbishop

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