Metropolitan Onuphry shares how Saint Nicholas leads people to faith

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: the UOC press service

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry delivered a sermon on the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, telling about the miraculous help of the saint to people far from the Church, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department.

The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recalled that Saint Nicholas is venerated not only by Orthodox believers but also by people far from the Church. According to the hierarch, the saint devoted his entire life to serving people: he helped the poor, supported the sorrowful, saved travelers and preserved the purity of Orthodox doctrine.

As an example, Metropolitan Onuphry cited the story of a married couple from Soviet times who lost important documents. Finding themselves in despair – the loss threatened serious consequences – the spouses turned in prayer to Saint Nicholas, whose help they had heard about from other people. After prayer and a promise to light candles in church, the documents were found.

Subsequently, according to the Primate, Saint Nicholas appeared to the spouses in a dream and reminded them of their promise. Coming to church, they met a priest who explained to them the foundations of faith. This became the beginning of their spiritual conversion. "Saint Nicholas did not need the candle itself – he brought these people to the temple so that they would meet God," the hierarch emphasized.

Metropolitan Onuphry also called on the faithful to remember that external manifestations of piety have value only when accompanied by love for God and neighbor, mercy and good deeds. He urged parishioners to live according to God's commandments and to fight against evil, hatred and sin.

As the UOJ reported, the UOC clergy celebrated the Liturgy at the relics of Saint Nicholas in Bari. The Feast of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bari is celebrated on May 22 and is one of the most venerated feasts in the Orthodox calendar.

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