Metropolitan Onuphry Spoke About the Spiritual Meaning of the "Trojeručica" Icon
His Beatitude at the Zverinets Monastery in Kyiv recalled the history of the icon of the Mother of God "Trojeručica" and the miracle of John of Damascus.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry on the feast day of the icon of the Mother of God "Trojeručica" led the Divine Liturgy at the Archangel Michael Zverinets Monastery in Kyiv and addressed the faithful with a sermon. This was reported by the Information and Educational Department of the UOC.
The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recalled the history of the icon's origin: in the 8th century, the Venerable John of Damascus, falsely accused by the iconoclasts, was deprived of his hand by order of the ruler of Damascus. Having pressed the severed hand to the icon of the Mother of God, the saint prayed with tears for healing, in order to prove the truth of the faith he was defending.
As the Primate noted, through the prayers of the saint, the Mother of God healed him, and in gratitude the Venerable John attached a silver image of a hand to the icon. From that time on, this icon became known as "Trojeručica" — the Three-Handed.
Metropolitan Onuphry recalled that today the wonderworking icon resides at the Serbian monastery of Hilandar on the Holy Mountain of Athos, where it is venerated as the abbess of the monastery and of the entire Holy Mountain.
The Primate emphasized that the faithful venerate this icon as a symbol of the special intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. According to him, with two hands the Mother of God holds the Christ Child, while with what is "as it were a third hand" She extends help to all who turn to Her in sorrows, illnesses, and life's trials.
The archpastor called upon Christians to imitate the Most Holy Theotokos, Who throughout Her entire life abided in humility, meekness, and unceasing prayer.
His Beatitude paid particular attention to the theme of repentance.
"From the Most Pure Lady we must first of all ask for the forgiveness of our sins before God, for the misfortunes that come upon us have their cause in our sins — in our pride, cunning, and malice," the Primate emphasized.
In conclusion of the sermon, Metropolitan Onuphry wished all the help and intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, that She might strengthen the faithful on the path to salvation and help them to worthily pass through earthly life.
As the SPJ previously reported, the Primate of the UOC earlier called on the faithful to fulfill the will of the Lord rather than their own desires.
