09 June 2025
Dear brothers and sisters!
I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the Feast of the Holy Spirit — the One Who enlightens us and everything around, makes alive, inspires, comforts, and saves.
Today, we glorify the Third Person of the Holy Trinity — not some abstract force but the Living God, Who acts in the world since its very creation and in each of us. 'By the Holy Spirit every soul lives', sings the Church. And it is not a poetic image but a reality in which everyone who strives for God starts to live.
The Holy Spirit breathed into the Forefather Adam the breath of life. He descended upon simple fishermen and made them Apostles of the Gospel for the entire mankind. He fortified martyrs, inspired prophets, enlightened the hearts and souls of saints. From the day of Pentecost and to the end of times, He dwells in the Church — in her sacraments, prayers, in the hearts of believers. It is from Him that any warm, sincere prayer, any genuine repentance, any gracious joy comes.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He is the Giver of strength. He helps to live according to the truth. He gives bravery. He not only bears witness of God — He Himself is God. And if we accept Him, if we gain His grace and keep it in our hearts, no force can break us.
Evil in this world may be loud, insolent, aggressive. Sometimes, it even seems omnipotent. But as soon as the light of eternity — light not of this world — breaks through the clouds of sin, darkness immediately gives way, blackness disperses, and the overwhelming peace of God comes.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in history, His breath in the Holy Orthodox Church are a source of our faith and Christian optimism. In spite of centuries of persecutions, temptations, and betrayals, the Church is alive — and, according to the Saviour, it will be so until the end of times.
May the Holy Spirit always be with us: sanctifying our thoughts, our works, our hearts. May He give us the grace of wisdom, firmness, faithfulness — and help us to become true friends of God.
Happy Feast, brothers and sisters!
Peace, love, and joy to us all!
All related news I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the Feast of the Holy Spirit — the One Who enlightens us and everything around, makes alive, inspires, comforts, and saves.
Today, we glorify the Third Person of the Holy Trinity — not some abstract force but the Living God, Who acts in the world since its very creation and in each of us. 'By the Holy Spirit every soul lives', sings the Church. And it is not a poetic image but a reality in which everyone who strives for God starts to live.
The Holy Spirit breathed into the Forefather Adam the breath of life. He descended upon simple fishermen and made them Apostles of the Gospel for the entire mankind. He fortified martyrs, inspired prophets, enlightened the hearts and souls of saints. From the day of Pentecost and to the end of times, He dwells in the Church — in her sacraments, prayers, in the hearts of believers. It is from Him that any warm, sincere prayer, any genuine repentance, any gracious joy comes.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He is the Giver of strength. He helps to live according to the truth. He gives bravery. He not only bears witness of God — He Himself is God. And if we accept Him, if we gain His grace and keep it in our hearts, no force can break us.
Evil in this world may be loud, insolent, aggressive. Sometimes, it even seems omnipotent. But as soon as the light of eternity — light not of this world — breaks through the clouds of sin, darkness immediately gives way, blackness disperses, and the overwhelming peace of God comes.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in history, His breath in the Holy Orthodox Church are a source of our faith and Christian optimism. In spite of centuries of persecutions, temptations, and betrayals, the Church is alive — and, according to the Saviour, it will be so until the end of times.
May the Holy Spirit always be with us: sanctifying our thoughts, our works, our hearts. May He give us the grace of wisdom, firmness, faithfulness — and help us to become true friends of God.
Happy Feast, brothers and sisters!
Peace, love, and joy to us all!
