Priest at Lavra prayer vigil explains why saints feared nothing
During a prayer vigil outside the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the feast day of St. John the Theologian, Fr. Georgiy reminded the faithful that love casts out fear.
On October 9, 2026, during a prayer vigil outside the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) priest Fr. Georgiy delivered a sermon on how true love drives out fear. A video of the sermon was published by the Fortetsia Lavra Telegram channel.
Fr. Georgiy reminded those gathered that the Church commemorates the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian on this day. He noted that St. John was one of Christ's closest disciples and referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Despite his young age, John possessed unwavering faith. When the other disciples fled in fear, only the Mother of God and the Apostle John remained at the foot of the Cross. Fr. Georgiy emphasized that the apostle repeatedly speaks of love in his writings.
The priest cited a passage from the epistle read during the service: "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God." He then quoted the words about true love overcoming fear: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).
According to Fr. Georgiy, people today are afraid of many things. The saints, by contrast, feared nothing because they were filled with love for God and their neighbors. The priest encouraged the faithful to seek the intercessions of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves, St. Sergius of Radonezh, and the Apostle John, especially in times of hardship.
He urged believers to ask the saints for "a drop of oil" to keep their spiritual lamps from going out. According to the priest, it is through prayer that people can cultivate love for God and their neighbors.
As the UJO reported, believers have been gathering for prayer vigil near the Lavra for more than 1,000 days.
