His Beatitude Sviatoslav on the сonsequences of сonversion: change of life through repentance, Baptism, and new life in Christ

First of all, in the catechesis, the Head of the Church explained where faith comes from. He referred to the apostle Paul's statement that faith comes from hearing. “Faith is born of the proclamation of truth, of the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. It is then that the moment of our encounter with the living Christ takes place. And the consequence - a new reality that is beginning in our life," he said.

According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, to accept the Word of God does not mean only to hear some news or a series of messages circulating in the information space. He who preaches the Word of God not only informs about God but transmits the power of God that enters our personal lives.

To better understand the content and power of the Gospel sermon, the Head of the Church made a relevant and eloquent comparison.

"Today, humanity expects to invent a cure for coronavirus. Everyone says that when there is a vaccine, then the course of the pandemic will change. Suppose such a vaccine was invented. And here someone comes to you and brings good news, saying: ‘You know, there is already a vaccine against this deadly and incurable disease.’ Such news can not only amuse but also upset. After all, we think, ‘Well, someone will get this vaccine, maybe some rich man or some privileged group of people. But I don't know if I'll live until I have access to it.’ In this case, only information, an opinion, etc. is transmitted."

However, the apostolic sermon, he said, is the moment when the one who announces the invention of the vaccine also brings the vaccine with him.

The Primate recalled the sermon of Peter described in the Acts of the Apostles immediately after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At its heart was the news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that it is the cure for death and eternal destruction. In response to this sermon, the people were heartbroken and asked Peter and the other apostles what to do. Peter answered that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, then they would be able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore, when a person believes in God, he first of all knows his illness, his sinfulness. So everyone who sees who he really is has a question: Lord, what should I do now? The first element is repentance and a change of life,” said the Father and Head of the UGCC.

By believing, a person recovers from evil, sin, misconceptions about himself, the world, and God. Then a person is born again in the Holy Sacrament of Baptism.

"Baptism is the sacrament of the new birth of a person and the moment when he receives the grace of the Holy Spirit and is born of the risen Christ," explained His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

"Therefore, the consequence of faith is a new birth, a new life," concluded His Beatitude Sviatoslav, recalling an inscription he saw in one of the Italian ports: in order to open a new world, one does not need to sail to the other side of the sea but must look at the world with new eyes – with the eyes of faith.

We remind you that the video project  of Zhyve Television "His Beatitude Sviatoslav: #clearly_about_complicated" started on May 16, 2020. In short videos, the Head of the UGCC explains important Christian truths in an accessible way. The latest issue is dedicated to the topic of faith. You can watch new issues of His Beatitude Sviatoslav's catechesis on the Zhyve TV channel on YouTube  or on the Zhyve TV Facebook  page every Saturday at 9 p.m.

The UGCC Department for Information