Spiritual retreat for heads of commissions of the UGCC and employees of patriarchal structures held in Lviv

"It is very important to be a Christian. Every member of a church commission, just like any community, should build social relationships based on the foundation and example of good coexistence with the Lord. The relationship, united by the work for the glory of God and the Church, has a Christian dimension and a corresponding spiritual depth," Studite hieromonk Fr. Jonah (Maxim) said during a spiritual retreat on December 23, 2010, in St. George Cathedral in Lviv. The pastor began his exercises with a quote from the Gospel of Luke (2:46-47), which tells of how 12-year-old Jesus speaks in the temple with teachers. The priest concludes that the Son of God drew people to him already in his childhood. "Christ unites hearts (Concordia). Discord and vanity recede because the principle that unites Christians is faith. The prototype of every community is the Holy Trinity. The religious community is formed on the internal basis and understanding that its work is done for personal glory, but for the glorification of Christ,” said the pastor. Understanding this ministry, according to Fr. Jonah, helps find additional resources for improving activities. The community is not a place where personal problems are solved, but a place they find understanding. The employees of patriarchal structures and the heads of committees of the UGCC should have the "large embraces" in order to be able to accept and embrace others and heal wounds with attention and kindness. However, without the grace of God, it cannot be done, said the priest. "A lot depends on faith, for without it, it is very difficult. Faith itself says to go beyond obligations, not just stop at them. Relationships between the people in the commissions are more important than all the activities of religious organizations because the search for God builds the community," concluded Fr. Jonah.

Information Department of the UGCC