Primate of UOC: Church transforms the human from dark to light through the Divine power of church Sacraments

The Church is a spiritual hospital where the human transforms from a sinner into a saint. This transformation comes from the Divine power, which is delivered in the church Sacraments. This was said by the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in his homily 13 in Kryvyi Rih on September 13, the day of 20th anniversary of the diocese, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

"Earthly life is a test period for a human. During this time the human must determine for themselves what they want – eternal life or eternal suffering," said His Beatitude.

He stressed that "the Church encourages people to eternal life", and "She is not just a prophet of salvation but prepares the man to accept the living God."

"The Church is a spiritual hospital where the man transforms from a sinner into a saint, from evil to good, from dark to light, – continued His Beatitude. – This transformation comes from the divine power that is given in the church Sacraments."

Following the example of the doctor, who prescribes medication to the patient and further sets certain restrictions for them, and in the spiritual life the man must keep to a certain diet.

"God gives us "spiritual diet" in the form of commandments and laws. If we taking the Sacrament of the church, observe the commandments of Christ – do not steal, do not kill, do not lie, honor your father and mother, be merciful, fast, pray (this is also the commandments of God), then this spiritual medicine brings us great benefits. If we do not stick to this "diet", then the medication may be of little use, or of no use, or even harmful," said Metropolitan Onuphry.

"May the Lord help us, dear brothers and sisters, that we may live by the sacred law, by the Divine commandments that make the human able to accept the Divine power delivered in the Sacraments of the Church, which transform the human," wished the Primate.