His Beatitude: The devil uses sorrows to destroy the image of God in man

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, delivered a sermon to the faithful on the feast day of the Light-Painted Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, calling on his flock to preserve the image of God within themselves amid sorrows and trials.

In his sermon, His Beatitude gave a detailed account of the history of this remarkable icon. During the difficult years of the 20th century, the monks of St. Panteleimon Monastery distributed bread to the poor every week. Because of a severe shortage of food, the brethren decided to hold the charitable distribution one last time.

During the event, one of the monks took several photographs. When the film was developed, the monks saw a majestic Woman dressed in black. She appeared to be walking through the air above tongues of flame and receiving alms together with the poor. The people present did not see the Most Holy Virgin with their physical eyes, but the camera captured Her presence. The Greek word “photography” means “writing with light,” which is why the new image became known as the Light-Painted Icon.

“The Mother of God helps us both materially and spiritually. If a person carefully watches his life and his spiritual condition – that is, if he works on himself – he will often see the miracles taking place around him through the prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God,” the Primate emphasized.

His Beatitude noted that a generous person acquires the ability both to give and to receive the great gifts of the Creator. A miser, by contrast, loses his spiritual sight and closes his heart. According to the Archpastor, a person’s earthly life is filled with various temptations. “Sorrows, illnesses, and other trials have a purpose. They seek to damage in a person that divine image which the Creator gave us when He created us.”

According to His Beatitude, this great image consists of love, patience, mutual respect, and purity. “Through sorrows, the enemy of mankind seeks to disfigure people’s spiritual beauty,” the Primate added. “But the Mother of God offers up prayers for us and calls us to turn to God in repentance. Then no one will be able to defile the beautiful image of God within us.”

As the UOJ reported, His Beatitude explained how humility differs from weakness.

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