As Christians, we can overcome fear with active love. We will pass a test of humanity when we keep God’s Commandments.
This opinion was expressed by His Beatitude Sviatoslav in the program “Saints and Sinners” on the UA: First Channel. Myroslava Barchuk was the interviewer of the Head of the UGCC.
The Head of the Church noted that fear is the biggest spiritual and mental trauma we experience today. This is the wound that we will have to heal for a very long time. However, he is convinced that a person who believes in God has the power to overcome fear.
“A person who believes in God draws strength from the Holy Sacraments to love his neighbor,” stressed His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
According to the Head of the UGCC, today we state the fact that modern man during the pandemic is overwhelmed with fear. Sometimes this fear can be more dangerous than the virus itself because it paralyzes and distorts human relationships.
“In our situation, we see that not only our people, but also other countries are experiencing panic fear of a person who has fallen ill. Today we have the phenomenon of stigmatization of patients with coronavirus. I think this is a great danger because it dehumanizes society,” said the Primate of the UGCC.
According to him, a big mistake is that some countries use fear as a tool to persuade people to comply with quarantine rules.
In the conditions of the pandemic, says the Father and the Head of the UGCC, our Church has begun to actively engage in social service, which is an active love for those who need help, or who became victims in the current circumstances.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Don’t be its slaves,” he warns.
Love frees us from fear and allows us to see another person as he is. He who knows how to love and sees in another person his neighbor, is able today to overcome fear and help others to save their lives and health,” added the Primate of the UGCC.
“May love of God and neighbor be the antidote and real vaccine against the virus of fear that fills our hearts and society today. I am convinced that fear and stigmatization of patients will never have the last word. Compassion will have the last word,” summed up His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The UGCC Department for Information