Priest: We gather near Lavra to strengthen ourselves and our neighbors in faith

A priest of the UOC at the prayer vigil near the Lavra. Photo: a screenshot t.me/save_Lavra

During the prayer vigil near the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, before the feast day of Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv, a priest addressed the faithful, emphasizing that the main purpose of the joint prayer is to strengthen the faith of both the participants themselves and their neighbors. The video of the sermon was published by the Telegram channel "Fortetsia Lavra".

"Why are we gathering now? So that we ourselves may be strengthened in the faith and so that our neighbors may not waver," he said.

In his sermon, the clergyman spoke about a recent visit to one of the monasteries, where, in his words, the action of God's grace is especially felt and the living church tradition is preserved.

"It feels as if even the walls are breathing grace. When you look at this, you realize that apostolic succession, which started with the apostles, still remains in our Holy Church,” the preacher said.

He emphasized that it is precisely in the canonical Orthodox Church that the unbroken tradition of holiness is preserved, and recalled the words of the Apostle Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

"When we are offered to change our faith, one can respond with the words of the Apostle Peter: 'Where shall we go?' Our Holy Orthodox Church has such saints as Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv. Let us treasure this, rejoice, take comfort, and hope for salvation," the priest said.

As the UOJ reported, prayer vigils near the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are held on a regular basis. Prayer at the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh near the monastery takes place almost every evening. The faithful are invited to join the common prayer for the preservation of the shrines, the monastic brotherhood, and for peace in Ukraine.

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