“When it emerged from the long night of atheist persecution, deprived of its visible structures and with its human resources almost exhausted, the Mother Church of Constantinople did not leave it alone.
“Today, after 65 years, we are not simply praising a man. We glorify and give thanks to God, because time has revealed the wisdom of His Providence and confirmed the calling,
“Here you received the first degree of Holy Orders. Not to be served, but to seek human glory, but to shepherd the spiritual flock of Christ’s Church.
“the supernatural character of the Medjugorje events could not be established
“by the wise providence of God, His Beatitude Onuphry has been spiritually guiding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for twelve years, proving himself to be a cornerstone who, despite all trials, steadfastly bears witness to the truth and verity of the Gospel
“beloved brother and co-celebrant before the Throne of God
“there is no greater honour than for his child to become a priest, because this means that his life within the family proved worthy in the eyes of his children.
“It is a modest and humble church that reflects the first steps of the early Greeks, I would like this church to remain as it is, because it demonstrates that a people came here who were poor and humble, yet honourable. As time passed, our people progressed, but this church—one of the first to meet the needs of the great wave of migration—reflects our earliest steps and constitutes a historical and spiritual landmark.
“The Bishop also spoke about the significance of the presence of the Theotokos in Great Britain, where Greek Orthodox communities have been established for generations.
“Her humility, patience and faithfulness to the will of God raised the Maiden of Nazareth higher than the heavens,
“Our fathers and mothers left their homelands and their homes, bringing only a few possessions with them—and always an icon of the Panagia.
“with the Panagia as our guide, our protector, and our most loving Mother
“Christians are called to bring Christ into the world through their thoughts, intentions and actions
“She traverses perfectly the Way, the Truth, and the Life, pointing us in the direction of eternity
“the Church’s embrace of the Virgin Mary’s passage into the eternal Kingdom of God also represents an acknowledgement of humanity’s own destiny
“the conclusion of the fast is more than an occasion for feasting
“Tomorrow we transit from the Fast to the Feast of the Dormition, our solemn observance of her passage from death to eternal life
“he also encouraged the faithful to pray to the Theotokos with trust, confident that she knows human suffering and understands their concerns
“Through her translation to heaven, the Theotokos always remains close to every person and accompanies them in their trials
“the Dormition is a celebration of hope, consolation, and joy