We grew up in the Orthodox Youth Movement upon a heritage whose richness comes from faces longing for the face of God. Each face had its own particularity and character. The face of God did not erase their faces but lit them up. And the face of Raymond Rizk is one of them.
Abounding in knowledge, composed, clear of vision — thus I knew him, and thus he remains. His zeal was a source of inspiration and wonder to me and to many. I do not know how he blends the wisdom of grey hair with the zeal of youth. Is it the love of God that renews his youth like the eagle's? I do not know; God knows.
His deep knowledge of the Russian theological writers is evident in his character. But his first and last belonging is to the Church of God in Antioch — a belonging that drove him to serve it whenever he was asked. For he lived the universal priesthood in Antioch.
He authored many books and translated others, which makes him one of the most prolific producers in Antioch in the modern age. His secret is that between him and his desk there is a mutual love. He looks in upon it every day and spends hours with it. He tells it of his love for the word, and it turns his love into words.
This lover is one of the elders of the Youth Movement, and a great young man. An inspiration, a brother, and a father in Christ to many. This is Raymond Rizk.