Today, on the First Sunday of Great Lent, the Holy Church celebrates the Triumph of Orthodoxy.
This feast was established after the restoration of the veneration of holy icons at the VII Ecumenical Council, when the Church ultimately set forth the dogmas of the faith. It is a triumph of the Truth over heresy, a victory of the Spirit of God over lies and violence.

Centuries have passed since then. Orthodoxy has spread all over the earth, the Gospel has been translated into hundreds of languages. But can we rightfully say today that Orthodoxy triumphs?

Let us look at what is going on around: the right of the strongest, untamed pride, total lies, the reigning hypocrisy and insincerity, the imposition of hatred and sin, spiritual weakening — are these not the main characteristics of the modern civilisation?

And is the Orthodox Church free from schisms, troubles, and pressure from those in power, who want to subjugate her to themselves? Do we not see states try to make the Church serve their mercenary interests, so as to justify their mistakes?

And unfortunately, it is manifested especially clear in Ukraine. For several years now, canonical Orthodoxy in our country has been subjected to persecution for its standing in the Truth. The matter has reached even blasphemy: followers of the theomachist Bolsheviks, like their spiritual predecessors a century ago, are creating "commissions" for the inspection and inventory of the holy incorruptible relics of the Monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves. What is it if not spiritual barbarism, a direct struggle against Christ?

And yet, despite all the attempts to split and destroy her, the Orthodox Church has always stood and will always stand firmly, according to the word of the Lord: "I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." She has gone through many severe trials over more than two thousand years, and it instils confidence that all the present temptations will also fall away soon.
The Triumph of Orthodoxy is a triumph of the Truth of God, not yet in this entire world, but in His Church, in every believing heart. It is not our victory, it is a victory of God over our falls, mistakes, unrighteousness, fears, weaknesses, and doubts.

By the mercy of God, we have kept our unity, we have remained faithful to the Truth — it is a Triumph of Orthodoxy. We have started to value our churches, every divine service, spiritually beneficial conversation, and our brotherhood in Christ more — it is a Triumph of Orthodoxy.

Today, our Church continues her main work — the preaching of the Gospel and the struggle against sin. For the universal evil is defeated not with the power of weapons or with loud statements but with sincere repentance, prayer, fasting, love for one's neighbour, and the feat of faithfulness to God. It is a Triumph of Orthodoxy.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church prays every day and every night that the Truth of God and the Peace and Love of Christ may shine in the hearts of men. For it is such transfiguration that is a guarantee of the cessation of all wars and the impossibility of their repetition in the future.

Dear brothers and sisters!

The Truth of God triumphs when amidst the seeming ubiquitous darkness, we choose the side of Christ and His Light, when we stir up love and brotherly kindness in ourselves and keep faithfulness to our Mother Church.
And no matter how hard and even terrifying the current trials may seem to us, let us remember that the Church is always invincible because she is God's.

Happy Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy!