UOC hierarch: If Christ is with us, the poorest walls become a palace

Metropolitan Viсtor. Photo: t.me/khm_upc

On December 14, 2024, during his visit to the parish of the Protection of the Holy Virgin in the village of Pecheske, Krasyliv Deanery, Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv told the faithful that the house of God is not the walls but the human soul, where the Holy Spirit should dwell.

The bishop noted that "the Holy Fathers say that the house of God is a place where man ceases being lonely and where he anticipates eternity. Sometimes we feel that these words find their fulfilment only when we are in God's temple, specially created and built for that purpose."

"But we often forget that the temple of God is not the walls, but the human soul. If there is no room for the Holy Spirit in the soul, no matter how beautiful the church is, it will not help us in the work of salvation," the hierarch underscored.

The bishop reminded the faithful that it is not the form but the content that matters, and that a true meeting with God can take place in the simplest conditions: "Even the simplest temple, even a room adapted as a church, becomes a place of true meeting with God if divine grace lives in the soul of a person."

Referring to the words of the Gospel, Metropolitan Victor reminded that the Lord is present among those gathered in His name: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them."

He emphasized that it is important to remember these words in all circumstances: "It doesn’t matter where this happens: in a church, in an adapted room, under the open sky, in a meadow, or in a forest. If we are united by Christ, if we keep ourselves within the Church of Christ, then we are on the right path – the path that leads to salvation."

Metropolitan Victor thanked the parishioners for their steadfastness and loyalty to the Church: "I want to thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for your steadfastness, for your courage, for your love of the Church of Christ and of each other. No matter how much they try to lead you astray from the path of salvation, you stand firmly on it."

He also reminded those present that human strength cannot overcome God: "One can struggle with God, but it is impossible to defeat Him. The history of the Church repeatedly proves and demonstrates this."

Concluding his address, Metropolitan Victor urged the faithful to value even the modest prayer houses, where God’s grace reigns: "May these simple, perhaps even poor walls become for us salvific dwellings that will help each of us walk the path of salvation."

As previously reported, Bishop Victor prayed with the persecuted community in a country house in the village of Pecheske.

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