Metr. Onuphry: God Created Man for Peace, Not War

KYIV — Metr. Onuphry, primate of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), said that war and hostility contradict God’s purpose for humanity, calling on the faithful to seek peace through repentance, prayer, and a return to God.

Speaking in a sermon on the feast of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Metr. Onuphry described the ongoing war in Ukraine as a tragedy for humanity and stressed that violence is contrary to God’s will. “God does not want us to wage war or kill one another. God created man to live in peace with God and with one another, so that we might all live as one family,” he said.

The UOC primate also emphasized that love for God can unite people in a way that earthly ideologies cannot. He pointed to saints including St. Anthony of the Caves and St. Sergius of Radonezh as examples of spiritual unity and devotion to God.

Metr. Onuphry urged people burdened by everyday concerns to make time for repentance, forgiveness, and prayer. “If a person wants to live, he must turn to God, return to God, and serve God,” he said, adding that prayerful obedience to God’s commandments leads to a blessed earthly life and salvation.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tikhon congratulated Metr. Onuphry on his 12th anniversary as UOC Primate.