His Beatitude: We pray that St. Sergius may reconcile princes who wage war

Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC Press Service

On October 8, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the patronal Divine Liturgy at the Kyiv church dedicated to St. Sergius. In his homily, he reminded the faithful that St. Sergius is called the Intercessor of the Russian Land, who brought peace among warring princes.

“When St. Sergius lived, there was one Rus’, which encompassed vast territories. But the Russian princes loved to fight one another, to be at enmity. And that internal strife brought such sorrow that the Tatar-Mongols came upon Rus’, seized it, and burned Kyiv,” the Primate recalled.

According to His Beatitude, St. Sergius devoted his life to reconciling the princes so that they would not wage civil wars. “When there is an internal war within a state, it weakens it, and it becomes easy prey for external enemies – as happened in those times,” Metropolitan Onuphry noted.

“And we pray that St. Sergius may reconcile all our contending and opposing princes – those within our own country who sow discord, stir up enmity, and unleash internal strife that makes us weak and vulnerable to an external foe,” the Primate of the UOC emphasized.

His Beatitude called for prayers that through the intercessions of St. Sergius, the Lord may strengthen everyone in love, mercy, and patience toward one another:
“So that we may be strong and unconquerable, and may attain eternal salvation in heaven in Christ Jesus,” Metropolitan Onuphry concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Primate of the UOC addressed the defenders of Ukraine.

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