UOC Chancellor: Everything must be done not to deprive people of Sacraments

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, UOC Chancellor. Photo: a video screenshot from the YouTube channel “Stained Glass: On Faith in Colours”

Even in the most difficult life circumstances, everything must be done so that people are not deprived of unity with Christ through the Sacraments, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), the UOC Chancellor, explained on the air of the YouTube channel “Stained Glass: On Faith in Colours”.

“The main task of the Church is to take people to God. Communion with God, union with God is the main goal of the life of a Christian. Everything else – with apparent importance – is secondary,” the bishop emphasized.

He explained that all Sacraments, rituals and prayers lead the hearts of people away from worldly fuss and dispose them to communion with God and union with the Creator.

The hierarch of the UOC noted that the Church is always close to its people. From birth to death, She serves every minute to console, help, and inspire the man in grief and joy.

“The Church with the healthy and the ill, the Church with the rejoicing and the mourning, the Church with the born and the dying. The Church cannot exist without people. They are Her soul, Her pulse. But Christians cannot exist without the Church, outside the Church, without the Sacraments and worship – in the broadest sense of the word,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

The Lord created the Church for people and will never leave It, it was He who invisibly performs all the Sacraments and blesses everyone who enters the temple, the bishop stressed and reminded the flock that the Church is the body of Christ, and we all are His members.

Read also

Abp. Elpidophoros Approves "Food-sensitive" Eucharist

When Accessibility Crosses the Line: A Call for Faithful Integrity in Liturgical Practice

Kenyan Orthodox Priest Targeted, Guard Severely Wounded in Machete Attack

"We must not repay violence with violence." —Fr. Antipas

Procession of the Icon of the Theotokos at the Holy Monastery of Iveron on Mount Atho

Monks and pilgrims accompanied the Iveron Icon in a solemn procession around the Monastery and along the shore on Bright Tuesday.

The Mystery of Christian Love - Eulogy for the Funeral of Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon

In his eulogy, Igumen Gabriel, Abbot-elect of Holy Cross, spoke of Fr. Panteleimon’s legacy and spiritual testament.

Trump and Zelensky Meet Before Pope Francis' Funeral in the Vatican

The meeting lasted about 15 minutes and focused on achieving peace in Ukraine.

In Wales, Muslim Teenagers Set Fire to Christian Church

The two teenagers, recent arrivals from Pakistan, were arrested on suspicion of arson.