His Beatitude on Prophet Elijah: Who knows the truth goes to eternal salvation

Metropolitan Onufriy. Photo: UOC press service

On August 2, 2025, the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, led the Liturgy at the Church of St. Elijah in Kyiv and delivered a sermon dedicated to the Holy Prophet Elijah.

The Primate of the UOC told the faithful about the life and deeds of the great Old Testament prophet who lived 900 years before the Nativity of Christ. Metropolitan Onuphry detailed the history of the division of the Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Solomon and the subsequent departure of the people from the true faith to idolatry.

The Primate paid special attention to the calling of the Prophet Elijah to service, the miraculous contest on Mount Carmel between the prophet and the priests of Baal, the three-year drought as a punishment for apostasy, and the divine fire that descended from heaven and consumed Elijah's sacrifice.

"The Holy Prophet Elijah is a great zealot for the truth. He was zealous for the true God, for people to know the true God," emphasized Metropolitan Onuphry. The Primate explained to the faithful the significance of the Prophet Elijah's deeds for modern Christians: "He who knows the truth is a child of eternal salvation. The truth is our Creator, Maker, and Lord of all creation."

In conclusion of the sermon, the head of the UOC called on the faithful to maintain the purity of faith, to love their Creator and Maker, to love their neighbor created in the image of God, to repent of sins, and do good deeds. "It is very important for a person to know the true God and serve God in their heart, and pray to God, repent of their sins, and do good and sacred deeds," concluded His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

As reported, the memory of the Holy Prophet Elijah is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on August 2 according to the new calendar. The Prophet Elijah is revered as one of the greatest Old Testament prophets, a zealot for the true faith, and a miracle worker.

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