A Priest at the Lavra: All Trials Must Be Met with Prayer, Not Enmity
During a prayer vigil at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a priest reminded the faithful of the power of faith, mercy, and prayer in a time of trials for the Church.
During a prayer vigil at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a priest addressed the faithful with a call to respond to trials not with bitterness, but with good deeds, humility, and prayer. The video of the sermon was published by the Telegram channel «Fortetsia Lavra».
Reflecting on the Gospel readings of the day, the priest recalled the Lord's healing of the man with the withered hand and the faith of the Roman centurion. According to him, Christ showed that doing good is always necessary, and one should not seek a «convenient time» for it. He paid special attention to the example of the centurion, whom the Lord held up as an example to Israel for his deep faith and humility. «The main obstacle to faith is pride and self-conceit. When a person removes this barrier and turns to God in prayer, the Lord grants him His help», — the priest said.
Addressing what is happening around the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the preacher noted that today the faithful are living through difficult times. «It may seem that now is a time when evil is all around, and our Church is being attacked. But nothing happens without the will of God. Let us respond with goodness, prayer, and good deeds, not repaying evil with evil», — he emphasized.
In conclusion, the priest called on the faithful to preserve humility, diligence in spiritual life, and to continue doing good, trusting in God's help and the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the saints.
As the SPJ reported, prayer vigils near the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are held on a regular basis. Prayer at the church in honor of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, located near the monastery, takes place almost every evening. The faithful are invited to join in common prayer for the preservation of the holy shrines, the monastic brotherhood, and for peace in Ukraine.
