His Beatitude Sviatoslav: Repentance of one person can change even the whole history of the people.

According to the preacher, this evening in our penitential journey during the Great Fast is a very special moment, because it is a moment of a special spiritual standing of man before God.

"Listening to the words of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, we seem to have once again experienced the whole history of mankind: from the creation of the world to this day. We have heard about the sins of sinners, the virtues of the righteous. We heard the call to refrain the former, and to imitate the latter," said the Primate.

But, according to him, there is one difference between standing at the Last Judgment and standing this evening. "Then, when the Judge is seated, when the books are opened, all the secrets will become clear, there will be no opportunity for repentance. Then, a person will only hear the verdict proclaimed to the whole universe, which eternity he goes into," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

However, we have heard, added the preacher, a call that the moment for repentance is the moment of this evening. Therefore, we bowed our knees, heads, hearts to the Lord, singing: "Have mercy on me, God."

"At the Last Judgment, everything will become clear to everyone. And what today I brought before God in repentance, is known only to me and Him. His mercy and my repentance today can change my personal history, the history of my people, perhaps even humanity," believes the Head of the Church.

St. Maximus the Confessor says that man is an interesting being, because he is changeable and  unstable, but he has the opportunity to change for the better. "The repentance that a person can endure is the greatest of wonders that the Lord can create. For repentance is like a new creation, a rebirth. But this miracle is possible only when we are with you, having opened our hearts, standing naked in our conscience before God, say to Him: "Jesus, Lord, have mercy on us!"said the Head of the UGCC.

"Today we are asking our merciful Lord for a revival for us, for our people. In repentance we ask for salvation," added the spiritual leader of the Greek Catholics.

Department of Information of the UGCC