Patriarch Theophilos III: We pray for His Beatitude Onuphry and Ukraine
The head of the Jerusalem Church, Theophilos III, met with the delegation of the UOC and urged the believers of Ukraine to stand by their Primate.
The Church of Jerusalem prays for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and the people of Ukraine. It was said by His Beatitude PatriarchTheophilos III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine on September 7 during his meeting with the pilgrimage delegation of the UOC, headed by Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye and Melitopol, reports the press service of Zaporozhye epachy.
His Beatitude said that the Orthodox nations today are being subjected to special tests, nevertheless they should not lose hope.
"We pray for our brother-in-Christ Metropolitan Onuphry and the long-suffering people of Ukraine," Patriarch Theophilos III said. “Globalization targes in the first line the destruction of the Orthodox Church. Tentacles of globalization try to penetrate into the Church Body to destroy it. This happens all over the world, including in Ukraine. The interference of politicians in the affairs of the Church, or representatives of one Church in affairs of another Church under the influence of politicians is signs of such a process."
According to the First Hierarch, only the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ give strength and hope for the preservation of peace, our faith, our identity.
"What you are doing when visiting the Holy Land is very important because this place is truly the place of Divine energy, the place of God," Patriarch Theophilos III told Ukrainian pilgrims. "Hold on to your Primate, don’t just find comfort in his prayers but be helpful to him and share prayers with him, follow him in the firmness of his faith."
Also the Primate of the Jerusalem Church emphasized the special importance of joint prayer in the Holy Land.
"Joint divine services strengthen our All-Orthodox unity, help us realize ourselves as a single Church carrying its ministry in different regions of the globe, facing different challenges and difficulties, but as a single Body of Christ performing a saving mission," His Beatitude concluded.
Earlier, the hierarch of the Jerusalem Church stated that the problems around the UOC are political.
