Met Luke: It is important to fight for independence of our souls from devil

On Independence Day of Ukraine, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol called on the faithful to fight without mercy for independence from the power of sin and the devil over the human soul. Vladyka wrote about this on his Telegram channel.

“That is how I understand the words of our Anthem. I hope that there are still both the Glory of God and our will to salvation in Ukraine. I believe that our "enemies" (all those passions and sins that separate us from salvation) will perish, "like grass in the sun". And our people will enjoy peace and love. We will lay down both our soul and our body in order to achieve freedom in Christ – that Truth that makes us free. Then we will indeed be worthy of our ancestors, who did not spare their lives for the sake of the Orthodox faith,” Vladyka noted.

According to the bishop, for this to happen, it is important for everyone to achieve unity with each other in love and harmony.

“A kingdom divided within itself cannot stand. My heart is filled with sorrow when I see what is happening with the Pochaiv procession. Five thousand people, including small children, old people, are walking through the heat with a prayer to God and Mother Theotokos for our country, for peace, for our salvation. And some crazy people block their roads, do not give them the opportunity to get water, do not let them pass through the villages. These confessors are on their knees, praying, going around these villages by roundabout fields, and all with peace and love. Although the cross walkers could easily sweep away all those cordons and barriers, which gathered several dozen enemies of God. What peace in our country can we talk about when we do not have peace among ourselves? What independence from the devil…, when people themselves, with their madness, their anger and hatred, give him the opportunity to do his dirty deeds in our Motherland, ”wrote Metropolitan Luke.

Earlier, Metropolitan Luke said that the clergy who justify the war are betraying Christ.

Read also

Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka

A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.

Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control

Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.

In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots

The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.

388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report

The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.

Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path

During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.

His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast

During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.