19 August 2025
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today, we celebrate together the Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This event is not only part of the distant Gospel story. It directly concerns each of us because it reminds about for the sake of what we live and what we ought to aspire for.
We are all called to a transfiguration of our eternal souls. It is a difficult and thorny path, which requires much effort, patience, and bravery.
In all times, people have dreamed of a better life — of a world where there are no wars, enmity, or injustice, where children live happier than their parents. History has shown all too clearly: it is impossible to attain that only by human means — politics, science, propaganda, or the power of arms. The world can change for the better not so much by laws and reforms as by a change of human heart and, consequently, of the way of thinking.
The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us every year: the true light of Christ has shone in the world for more than two thousand years now. The Apostles saw it on Mount Tabor and became its partakers on the day of Holy Pentecost, and it has since not faded away in believing hearts. The guarantee of this Tabor light is given to each of us when we become part of the Church; it fills us ever more when we try to live according to the commandments of Christ and keep love for and faithfulness to Him even in the hardest and darkest times.
A path of ascent to one's own Mount Tabor lies in front of each of us. It is difficult and full of trials, and it can be walked only with the help of the grace of God, which is gained through the purity of faith, sincere prayer, participation in the Sacraments of the Church, and keeping faithfulness to Christ and our unity in His Church.
Also, Vladyka Longin (Zhar) — His Eminence Metropolitan of Bancheny, a vicar of the Diocese of Bukovina, the Abbot of the Bancheny Monastery of the Ascension — celebrates his 60th anniversary today. He is a man with a big heart and, by the grace of God, my huge friend. It is hard to find the right and succinct words to express gratitude to this courageous, genuine, generous, wise archpastor!
In 1992, Vladyka adopted a six-months-old girl suffering from AIDS and opened an orphanage. Today, more than 600 children are under the constant care of Vladyka and his assistants. For his feat of merciful service, he was honoured with the award of Hero of Ukraine in 2008.
Vladyka Longin is a true Christian and a faithful son of his Holy Mother Church. He is always on the side of the truth and is not afraid of hardships. For that, he is subjected to persecution by the enemy of the human race and his earthly minions all the time, but he never surrenders and gives all his efforts to his flock and his spiritual and adopted children.
May the Lord strengthen you, our dear Vladyka, on your path and give you health, peace of heart, and spiritual joy!
And happy Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord to us all!
Dear brothers and sisters, let this feast become another reminder for us: God is with us always, even to the end of the age. He is waiting for our step and our decisiveness so as to support, fortify, and fill with His light, so as to save us.
I wish peace, light, good, and love to all of us!
All related news Today, we celebrate together the Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This event is not only part of the distant Gospel story. It directly concerns each of us because it reminds about for the sake of what we live and what we ought to aspire for.
We are all called to a transfiguration of our eternal souls. It is a difficult and thorny path, which requires much effort, patience, and bravery.
In all times, people have dreamed of a better life — of a world where there are no wars, enmity, or injustice, where children live happier than their parents. History has shown all too clearly: it is impossible to attain that only by human means — politics, science, propaganda, or the power of arms. The world can change for the better not so much by laws and reforms as by a change of human heart and, consequently, of the way of thinking.
The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us every year: the true light of Christ has shone in the world for more than two thousand years now. The Apostles saw it on Mount Tabor and became its partakers on the day of Holy Pentecost, and it has since not faded away in believing hearts. The guarantee of this Tabor light is given to each of us when we become part of the Church; it fills us ever more when we try to live according to the commandments of Christ and keep love for and faithfulness to Him even in the hardest and darkest times.
A path of ascent to one's own Mount Tabor lies in front of each of us. It is difficult and full of trials, and it can be walked only with the help of the grace of God, which is gained through the purity of faith, sincere prayer, participation in the Sacraments of the Church, and keeping faithfulness to Christ and our unity in His Church.
Also, Vladyka Longin (Zhar) — His Eminence Metropolitan of Bancheny, a vicar of the Diocese of Bukovina, the Abbot of the Bancheny Monastery of the Ascension — celebrates his 60th anniversary today. He is a man with a big heart and, by the grace of God, my huge friend. It is hard to find the right and succinct words to express gratitude to this courageous, genuine, generous, wise archpastor!
In 1992, Vladyka adopted a six-months-old girl suffering from AIDS and opened an orphanage. Today, more than 600 children are under the constant care of Vladyka and his assistants. For his feat of merciful service, he was honoured with the award of Hero of Ukraine in 2008.
Vladyka Longin is a true Christian and a faithful son of his Holy Mother Church. He is always on the side of the truth and is not afraid of hardships. For that, he is subjected to persecution by the enemy of the human race and his earthly minions all the time, but he never surrenders and gives all his efforts to his flock and his spiritual and adopted children.
May the Lord strengthen you, our dear Vladyka, on your path and give you health, peace of heart, and spiritual joy!
And happy Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord to us all!
Dear brothers and sisters, let this feast become another reminder for us: God is with us always, even to the end of the age. He is waiting for our step and our decisiveness so as to support, fortify, and fill with His light, so as to save us.
I wish peace, light, good, and love to all of us!
