Abbess Seraphima: The sanctity of Primate’s faith attracts millions to him

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine. Photo: monasterium.ru

On February 8, 2020, the head of UOC Synodal Department of the UOC "Church and Culture", the abbess of the Odessa Holy Archangel-Michael Convent, hegumeness Seraphima (Shevchik) explained in an interview with the “Monastyrsky Vestnik” that the sanctity of the faith of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine helps the UOC children to keep unity.

Speaking about the severe trials that the UOC has endured, the head of the Synodal Department explained that the people of Ukraine united and were able to withstand them “thanks to personal example, courage, Christlike love and wisdom of His Beatitude Onuphry. The Lord said to the apostles: ‘Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves’ (Matthew 10:16). Metropolitan Onuphry is a man of extraordinary resilience, which combines with purity and simplicity. "He does not like the sophisticated verbiage; it seems that he even organically does not tolerate this."

“The word of Metropolitan Onuphry is always very simple, but it is permeated with the light of Christ's faith. His Beatitude always reminds his flock that Christ should be the main thing in our life. He reminds us of this constantly. And, you know, I noticed that people need this simplicity.

The secular audience is huge, and many, very many people long for precisely this simplicity and purity from the Church. They are frightened off by long scholastic speeches and, in general, everything that complicates the understanding of meaning. Modern man does not perceive long texts and complex conclusions. Perhaps, that is why the manner of communication of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry with the flock is so effective.

The form of the Gospel evangelism of Christ and the apostles was devoid of rigorism, characterized by laconism, spiritual strength and simplicity. Their speech was understood by fishermen, shepherds, plowmen, taking into their hearts the truths presented in an accessible and loving manner. His Beatitude Onuphry follows these principles in his apostolic ministry.”

According to her, this is precisely what “especially attracts the hearts of millions of Ukrainian citizens who feel that this is God's man. There is nothing superfluous, nothing conceited in him — today this is not a frequent occurrence. And people feel it with their hearts. I did not want to use the word ‘sanctity’ here, but you yourself pronounced it. Perhaps, you correctly used this word ... Yes, it is an example of the life of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the sanctity of his faith confession helps the children of the Church to maintain unity in peace and love.”

As reported earlier, abbess Seraphima emphasized that the degradation of the state begins with the degradation of culture.

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