The life of a person who believes in God is different from the unbeliever, as the life of the person who sees, from the blind. Faith is a personal act when I open up and accept God’s presence – then my whole life becomes different.
The Head and Father of the UGCC stressed this during his sermon to the faithful on Sunday, August 4, 2019, within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Patriarchal Pilgrimage, to the Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God – Patroness of the Halych region in the village of Krylos.
It is worth noting that this pilgrimage is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leaving the underground. The event was attended by numerous believers, representatives of the state authorities of different levels, monks, and clergy.
“The Word of the Divine Gospel points to Jesus Christ as a sign of contradiction. For the Savior says that He is a stumbling block that, on the one hand, leaves no one indifferent, and on the other, causes controversy. When the Son of God comes to people, when the Lord is among us, His presence causes contradiction,” the Primate notes.
“The question is: who is He? Is what He says still relevant? Is what He did in those times of the Gospel true now? .. Who is He for me personally? Should I follow Him and accept His teaching? Is it better to stay away?” asked the spiritual leader of the Greek Catholics.
According to him, sometimes a person can be blinded even with her own success. She seems to have received everything. However, this is the moment when a person’s victory can turn into a tragic defeat.
The preacher noted that the Church now faces many challenges.
“We have come to this holy place to thank the Savior and Our Lady for the 30th anniversary of the legalization of our Church in Ukraine,” said the Bishop. – We ask the Virgin Mary for the strength of faith and we pray that the resurrected UGCC fulfills its mission in the new millennium.”
Therefore, Jesus Christ asks us: do we really believe that He can do what we ask Him to do …
“Let this pilgrimage be a sign and expression of our faith, trust and be transformed into a moment of enlightenment and healing. This is a moment of meeting with the Living Christ, Who changes everything,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav and thanked everyone who participated in the retreat.
The UGCC Department for Information