His Beatitude: We pray that the Lord will pacify those who fight against us
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry during the liturgy at the Ascension (St. Florus) Convent. Photo: news.church.ua
God does not bless war and the Church prays for the pacification of those who fight against us, said His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine in his sermon at the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord.
"War is not a phenomenon that God blesses. God blesses that people live in peace with each other so that one does not lift up his heel against another," the Archpastor emphasized. “We are all children of God, and we must remember this, God wants children to live in peace with one another. But the devil wants different things: that we kill each other, that we attack each other. We pray that the Lord will pacify those who fight against us, who disturb the order of our lives.
His Beatitude reminded us that "God is love and His Laws are the Laws of love."
"When one goes the way of keeping the Commandments of love, he himself becomes love, he becomes like God, who is love. This is the essence of the Godhead. And when a man acquires in himself the spirit of love, there are no obstacles on the Earth for such man, which would change his way, which are insurmountable. He endures everything, endures everything and courageously goes to Christ," the Primate said.
He wished everyone, "that the Lord, who has ascended to Heaven, would raise us above sin, that we would not be subject to sin, that the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, would reign in our souls”.
Read also
UOC hierarchs mark 30th anniversary of Holovchyntsi Convent's revival
UOC bishops and clergy of the eparchy congratulated the abbess of the Transfiguration Convent and her sisters on the memorable date.
UOC cleric discusses life of Ukrainian parishes with Hungarian official
A UOC priest and a Hungarian official paid particular attention to issues of practical interaction between Ukrainian parishes and government authorities.
Ukrposhta issues stamp featuring Lavra for Soviet-era reserve's anniversary
The new postal block, issued in a print run of 40,000 copies, depicts the Lavra's churches, bell tower, and ancient frescoes.
Met. Theodosiy links his criminal case to ex-prosecutor named in NABU tapes
A Cherkasy court extended Metropolitan Theodosiy’s preventive measure for another two months – until November 29, 2026.
Stefanchuk: Seeking UCCRO-LGBT compromise on new Civil Code
The Verkhovna Rada speaker said the working group is seeking a broad public compromise as it revises the draft of the new Civil Code.
Rabbi thanks SBU for arresting Ukrainian over antisemitic threats
Moshe Azman called for those who incite religious hatred to be held accountable, warning that the line between online threats and real-world violence can be very thin.