07 July 2025
Dear brothers and sisters!
Happy Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, Ioan!
He is one of those of whom the Apostle Paul said, 'the world was not worthy of them.'
A preacher of repentance, exposer of lies, prophet of two Testaments, and the first martyr, who became the voice of God and Forerunner of the Saviour amongst men.
Saint Ioan the Baptist is an image of uncompromising truth and inner freedom. He did not seek comfort, did not compromise with his conscience, did not stray from the truth. He said not what people would like to hear but what they should know. This truth was what he suffered for. But his prophetic word was what prepared human hearts for a meeting with God.
Today, we more than ever need voices able to tell the truth clearly and straightforward; the strength of faith, which does not bow down to the alleged greatness of the 'powers that be'; and loyalty to Christ — regardless of any temptations or threats.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which keeps faithfulness to Christ and the holy canons of Orthodoxy, is going through most difficult trials: barbaric seizures of churches, torrents of slander, harassment of clergy, pressure upon hierarchs and the Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy. And all of it only for the fact that she does not dance to the tune of the political situation, has not become another organisation which the system of power has in its pocket, has not changed the pearl of Truth for the 'mess of pottage' of imaginary calmness and well-being.
It is a pity that people like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy — people who aspire only to holy life, who encourage only to peace and love, who tell only the Truth of God — are those who find themselves unneeded by the state of Ukraine today.
For a country in which embezzlers and marauders have long borne no responsibility, where law enforcement agencies are ready to treat with kid gloves a small group with a so-called 'non-traditional orientation' while beating up elderly women and priests, thousands of whom have stood in defence of their native shrines — it is an extremely dangerous tendency. It brings about worry for our common present and the future of our children.
This is even more surprising because any other self-respecting country would dream of having a citizen like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy. Yes, in a country where the Constitution has been 'put on pause' a man can be arbitrarily deprived of his passport, but the common love and respect, which our Primate surely enjoys, cannot be taken away.
Today, Saint John the Baptist reminds us: to be with God means to not be afraid.
Holiness is not loud feats but everyday determination to avoid straying from the Gospel truth.
May this feast fortify all of us in faith and inspire us for honesty before God and oneself. May the Lord, through the prayers of Saint John, give peace to all of us, firmness to His Church, wisdom to archpastors, courage to priests, and a pure heart and steadfast profession of the faith to each of us.
Happy feast!
All related news Happy Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, Ioan!
He is one of those of whom the Apostle Paul said, 'the world was not worthy of them.'
A preacher of repentance, exposer of lies, prophet of two Testaments, and the first martyr, who became the voice of God and Forerunner of the Saviour amongst men.
Saint Ioan the Baptist is an image of uncompromising truth and inner freedom. He did not seek comfort, did not compromise with his conscience, did not stray from the truth. He said not what people would like to hear but what they should know. This truth was what he suffered for. But his prophetic word was what prepared human hearts for a meeting with God.
Today, we more than ever need voices able to tell the truth clearly and straightforward; the strength of faith, which does not bow down to the alleged greatness of the 'powers that be'; and loyalty to Christ — regardless of any temptations or threats.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which keeps faithfulness to Christ and the holy canons of Orthodoxy, is going through most difficult trials: barbaric seizures of churches, torrents of slander, harassment of clergy, pressure upon hierarchs and the Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy. And all of it only for the fact that she does not dance to the tune of the political situation, has not become another organisation which the system of power has in its pocket, has not changed the pearl of Truth for the 'mess of pottage' of imaginary calmness and well-being.
It is a pity that people like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy — people who aspire only to holy life, who encourage only to peace and love, who tell only the Truth of God — are those who find themselves unneeded by the state of Ukraine today.
For a country in which embezzlers and marauders have long borne no responsibility, where law enforcement agencies are ready to treat with kid gloves a small group with a so-called 'non-traditional orientation' while beating up elderly women and priests, thousands of whom have stood in defence of their native shrines — it is an extremely dangerous tendency. It brings about worry for our common present and the future of our children.
This is even more surprising because any other self-respecting country would dream of having a citizen like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy. Yes, in a country where the Constitution has been 'put on pause' a man can be arbitrarily deprived of his passport, but the common love and respect, which our Primate surely enjoys, cannot be taken away.
Today, Saint John the Baptist reminds us: to be with God means to not be afraid.
Holiness is not loud feats but everyday determination to avoid straying from the Gospel truth.
May this feast fortify all of us in faith and inspire us for honesty before God and oneself. May the Lord, through the prayers of Saint John, give peace to all of us, firmness to His Church, wisdom to archpastors, courage to priests, and a pure heart and steadfast profession of the faith to each of us.
Happy feast!
