His Beatitude addresses believers: Pray so that brethren remain in Lavra

His Beatitude Onuphry. Photo: news.church.ua

On March 19, 2023, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, addressing believers during the liturgy, called for prayer so that the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra would be granted by the Lord to stay in the holy abode and continue their spiritual endeavours of prayer, reports news.church.ua.

The Primate stressed that it was the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that built the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, as well as restored it after the closure of the monastery in the twentieth century.

His Beatitude advised those who want to take away the Lavra to build something of their own.

"I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to stand in prayer so that we offer our prayers for our Ukraine, our homeland, for the authorities, for the military, and for all our people, so that the Lord blesses us all with peace. Especially pray for the brethren of the holy abode, for the bishop abbot, so that the Lord grants them mercy to stay in this place and continue the spiritual endeavour that people do not see but which brings benefit to all – the feat of prayer for our land, homeland, and people," the Primate addressed the flock.

His Beatitude noted that the main thing for which the brethren pray is that the Lord will give each of us knowledge of the truth and lead us to eternal salvation.

"We come into this world with nothing, so we leave this world lightly. But there is a wealth called the grace of the Holy Spirit, which goes with a person into eternity. This is the grace that the brethren of the holy monastery ask God for each of us," the Primate explained.

"May the Lord, through the prayers of our Blessed Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, and by the power of the Honourable and Life-Giving Cross, bless this place and bless all who reside here. Through the prayers of the venerable Kyiv Caves fathers, let the Lord keep this monastery in truth and righteousness, and let Him help us to spend the days of Holy and Great Lent worthily, in deeds within our abilities, in order to joyfully celebrate the great feast of the Resurrection of our Saviour and God Jesus Christ", said the Primate at the end of his sermon.

"By the power of the Honourable and Life-Giving Cross, may the Lord destroy all forces that rise up against the truth of God, and may the Lord bless our land with peace, may the Lord bless each of you, your loved ones and relatives," the Archbishop said in his word after the dismissal.

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