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.

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