Metropolitan Onuphry: If one finds God, they have found everything
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC's press service
On Forgiveness Sunday, on the eve of the beginning of Great Lent, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine addressed the faithful with a sermon on the meaning of fasting and the true treasure that every Christian should seek. The UOC's press service published a video of the sermon.
"If a person has found God, they have found everything – for their earthly life and for eternal life," emphasized the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful of the Savior's words about forgiveness, fasting, and heavenly treasures, which the Church offers for reflection on the last day before Great Lent.
"Forgiveness – you must forgive your neighbor if you want God to forgive you. You must fast in such a way that it is not seen by people but by God," said His Beatitude.
The Metropolitan paid special attention to the connection between fasting and the search for the true treasure: "Earthly treasures, which belong to this world and which we use, are temporary treasures needed for earthly life. But there is an eternal Treasure, and if a person acquires it, they will be happy both on earth and in heaven for eternity."
According to Metropolitan Onuphry, this eternal Treasure is God Himself –"the Treasure of all blessings, the source of every good."
The Primate explained that Great Lent is a special time for seeking this heavenly Treasure: "Fasting is precisely the time when we must seek this heavenly Treasure. We must be reconciled with God, open our hearts and souls so that the Lord may dwell in us and cleanse us from all impurity."
At the conclusion of his sermon, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry wished the faithful to worthily observe the upcoming Great Lent: "May the Lord help us to worthily pass through this saving period of the Holy Great Fast, to cleanse ourselves from sins and vices, and to receive within ourselves the eternal Treasure, which is God, who has granted salvation to people in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
As a reminder, Great Lent in 2025 begins on March 3 and, together with Holy Week, will last until the celebration of the Bright Resurrection of Christ, which Orthodox believers will observe on April 20.
Read also
UOC hierarch leads funeral service for Kyiv Eparchy priest killed at front
Metropolitan Augustine conducted the funeral service for Archpriest Viacheslav Lytvynenko, a longtime military chaplain.
Orthodox youth from across Ukraine meet in Kyiv
The UOC meetup brought participants from different eparchies to the capital for live fellowship and dialogue on spiritual topics.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy choir performs hymn by Patriarch Ilia
The choir of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy performed a sacred work by Patriarch Ilia on the day commemorating his repose.
Metropolitan Shio: Patriarch Ilia II’s love became a source of faith and hope
In Georgia, Metropolitan Shio said in his sermon on the 40th day after Patriarch Ilia II’s repose that his love and ministry became a source of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal for the people.
Orthodox Christians in U.S.: “War on Faith” bill ignores persecution of UOC
The St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Society has accused Congressmen Joe Wilson and Don Bacon of “double standards” in drafting a religious freedom bill concerning Ukraine.
UOC Social Department in Kyiv delivers aid to 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, displaced families received humanitarian aid, food and household packages, as well as Paschal greetings from the UOC Social Department.