UOC Primate: The weak fell away, the self-improving stood with Church

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Photo: UOC

During the recent years of trials, you’ve become better and closer to God, and whoever was weak and could not become better fell away. The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, spoke to his flock in response to congratulations on the sixth anniversary of his enthronement on August 17, 2020, according to the Information and Educational Department of the UOC.

Addressing the clergy and believers who had gathered at the solemn service on the square in front of the Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Assumption Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Primate emphasized that Lord Himself is the Head of the Church.

“The Church is an organism created by the Lord, Who heads it; the only and primary target of the Church is to perfect a person,” the Archpastor noted. “The rest targets are secondary: what I am going to do this year, next year, etc. <...> in social service, in architecture, in construction and the like. However, the main thing about the Church is self-improvement."

His Beatitude Onuphry added joyfully that "all of you, dear hierarchs, dear fathers, brothers, sisters, have become better over these years of trials, you have become closer to God."

“Someone might say – how do I know this? Because whoever was weak, who could not get better, fell away. And the one who has become better, has been able to hold ground with the Church and will continue to withstand by the grace of God. <...> I wish the Lord to cover all of you with His mercy, for every person needs this mercy. We live by the grace of God. May God save your souls! Bless me and forgive me,” said the Primate of the UOC, thanking the flock for their prayers, patience and support.

As the UOJ reported, on August 17, 2020, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church prayerfully celebrated the sixth anniversary of the enthronement of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

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