The Head of the UGCC on the day of Pentecost: "Unity saves"

This was told by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav during a sermon to the faithful in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection on the feast of Pentecost.

The Pontiff noted that today the Church of Christ celebrates great warm joyful holiday - the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, and through them to all mankind and the whole world.

"Today the Holy Spirit - says the Preacher - in his ascent reveals to us the mystery of the Trinity, the sacrament of the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Makes a sacrament of unity available to man, and thus begins to collect people, integrate back into their original unity among themselves. Although there are many different languages, but all begin to understand one another, because there is a spirit that fills their hearts."

The Primate asks to think that the unity of God with man save us from eternal death, gives us life. The unity of the people in the One Holy and Apostolic Church offers them salvation through the action, the grace of the Holy Spirit. "The Church of Christ - said His Beatitude Sviatoslav - now glorifies Our Lord, because we rejoice that the Holy Spirit, who once descended upon the Apostles, goes on all of us. So today, when someone is fighting for their freedom to get out of slavery and find their dignity, will accept the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle Paul teaches us, is not the spirit of slavery, but the Spirit of adoption, which calls from our hearts to God Our Father: Abba (Father)! Every desire of freedom, the desire to be worthy man, worthy son and worthy daughter of God is born as a result of the act and grace of the Holy Spirit."

"When someone is now in danger of death, - continued the Bishop - troubled and terrified, let him pray to the Holy Spirit, because He is the Comforter, that brings joy, frees from fear. When the father and mother are worried of their son and daughter who give their life for their people, let them call upon on the Holy Spirit. For as St. Paul teaches, the Holy Spirit intercedes for each of us before God the Father with unutterable groans. He is the Spirit of might, the Spirit of power, Spirit of victory. Today, when someone searches for truth, when someone lacks wisdom and knowledge, shall call on the Holy Spirit, because He is the Spirit of wisdom, the spirit of reason and knowledge, which comes from the fear of God."

The Preacher explained that sending us His Spirit, our Lord does not want us just to give something that He has for us today, He gives us Himself. For the Holy Spirit is the third divine person of the Trinity. Our God is the only one in the Holy Trinity today, who puts His life, all His good for all of us. So today we cry out to the Holy Spirit as the treasury of all good.

"Let this divine power come upon us, make us united in desire to be children of God, make us one with our God, combining with the Trinity, again unite brother with brother, because unity is what saves" – wished the Head of the Church.

The Primate of the Kyiv Archeparchy Josyph (Milian) concelebrated with the Bishop.

After the Liturgy, His Beatitude Sviatoslav blessed the green branches that the faithful brought with them.

UGCC Department of Information