UOC Synod: His Beatitude's words do not divide but reconcile and lead to repentance

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil. Photo: UOC

Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil, on behalf of the Holy Synod, the episcopate, the clergy, the monastic community, and the faithful of the UOC, congratulated His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry on his name day, reports the UOC press service.

Metropolitan Serhiy noted that by carrying the Primate's cross, His Beatitude daily testifies that pastoral ministry is not only a responsibility, but above all an inner feat of faith, which requires constant spiritual activity, prayers, prudence, and attention to every soul.

"In your life, the Primateship has become a natural continuation of monastic obedience, humble, deeply responsible, based on love for God and neighbor. You remain a monk, even at the highest level of church service," the message addressed to His Beatitude reads.

The greeting emphasizes that His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry is "attentive to the pain of the world," and the humility inherent in our Primate is the strongest response to the challenges of our time.

"By your personal example, you inspire many, both ordinary believers and clergy, who see in you a living testimony of the Gospel virtues. And at a time when the word is often devalued, and the truth is diminished by noise, idle talk and injustice, you continue to speak quietly, but firmly and confidently. And your word, which grows out of deep prayer and inner experience, does not condemn, but leads to repentance, does not divide, but reconciles, does not incite, but enlightens," added the archbishop.

His Beatitude was wished to continue "to be a source of hope and strength for the entire fullness of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church," inspired by the feat of Venerable Onuphrius.

As the UOJ reported, His Beatitude led the Liturgy on the feast day of St. Onuphrius the Great at the Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania.

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