UOC Chancellor: Everything must be done not to deprive people of Sacraments

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, UOC Chancellor. Photo: a video screenshot from the YouTube channel “Stained Glass: On Faith in Colours”

Even in the most difficult life circumstances, everything must be done so that people are not deprived of unity with Christ through the Sacraments, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), the UOC Chancellor, explained on the air of the YouTube channel “Stained Glass: On Faith in Colours”.

“The main task of the Church is to take people to God. Communion with God, union with God is the main goal of the life of a Christian. Everything else – with apparent importance – is secondary,” the bishop emphasized.

He explained that all Sacraments, rituals and prayers lead the hearts of people away from worldly fuss and dispose them to communion with God and union with the Creator.

The hierarch of the UOC noted that the Church is always close to its people. From birth to death, She serves every minute to console, help, and inspire the man in grief and joy.

“The Church with the healthy and the ill, the Church with the rejoicing and the mourning, the Church with the born and the dying. The Church cannot exist without people. They are Her soul, Her pulse. But Christians cannot exist without the Church, outside the Church, without the Sacraments and worship – in the broadest sense of the word,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

The Lord created the Church for people and will never leave It, it was He who invisibly performs all the Sacraments and blesses everyone who enters the temple, the bishop stressed and reminded the flock that the Church is the body of Christ, and we all are His members.

Read also

UOC Hierarch: The Church Does Not Endorse 'Holy War' Concept

"The assertion that the so-called 'special military operation' is a 'Holy War' contradicts the basic principles of Christian morality," Metr. Yevlohiy said.

Georgian Bishops Finalize Procedures for Patriarchal Election

Head of public relations for the Georgian Church says bishops finalized election procedures while emphasizing unity ahead of the patriarchal council.

SVS Press Releases New Volume by St. Maximus the Confessor

The publisher's new St. Maximus volume explores the theological foundations of Orthodox Christology and the defense of Chalcedon.

Abp. Daniel Announces Synodal Clergy Awards in Chicago Diocese

The Orthodox Church in America's Synodal awards recognized clergy across multiple ranks for dedicated service in the Midwestern diocese.

Registration Opens for First OCA-Wide Clergy Wives Retreat

The Orthodox Church in America’s first churchwide clergy wives retreat aims to strengthen ministry families through prayer, fellowship, and renewal.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s meeting with Patr. Bartholomew highlighted support for religious freedom and the global mission of the Orthodox Church.