His Beatitude: One who prays in joy has a strong prayer even in sorrow

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

On the feast day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry spoke in his sermon about the protection of the Mother of God and the power of prayer, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

The Primate recalled the history of the feast, which originates in 10th century Constantinople, when the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to those praying in the Blachernae church and spread Her omophorion over them as a sign of heavenly protection. "Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all, praying for the whole world?" said then St. Andrew to his disciple Epiphanius.

His Beatitude Onuphry noted that the Most Holy Virgin Mary still covers with Her intercession all who turn to Her in faith. "The Mother of God is a spiritual tower, a spiritual fortress, which is the Beauty of the Church and in which there are all the tools to defeat the devil and all evil," he emphasized.

The Primate urged believers not to forget to pray to the Mother of God in both joy and sorrow. "When we are well, we must thank God and thank the Mother of God for giving us all good things through Her prayers. When we are in trouble, we must pray to the Mother of God to help us endure this trouble," said the bishop.

His Beatitude emphasized that prayer made in times of prosperity strengthens a person in trials: "If a person prays when he is well, his prayer during trouble will be strong and bold before God."

In conclusion of the sermon, the Primate wished all believers and all of Ukraine the protection of the Heavenly Queen.

"May the Lord keep each of us with the prayer of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and protect us from all evil. May the Intercession of the Mother of God be over our Ukrainian land, over our people, and may She preserve us from every enemy and adversary," concluded Metropolitan Onuphry.

As reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude led the Liturgy in the Intercession Convent.

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