“Mother, I’ve brought my spiritual daughter... Please do not refuse, receive her, talk to her...
“this first Orthodox university in the country will serve as a platform for enlightening the world with the light of Eastern theology and as a reliable bridge for dialogue between Churches and cultures
“Venerable Nazaria brought the hesychast tradition to the monastery, Olimpiada fostered the beauty of its liturgical life, while Elisabeta transformed prayer into works of mercy
“generations of nuns had built up this spiritual tradition through prayer and obedience over nearly 240 years since the monastery’s foundation
“state-forming role of the UGCC
“this award belongs not to him personally but to the entire structure he leads.
“Sviatoslav Shevchuk thanked the representatives of the authorities for the high state award.
“constant and fervent prayer is given to man as the one sure remedy against the misfortunes of life
“By forgiving those who have wronged us, violence is stopped, hatred is extinguished, evil is replaced by goodness, and the life of the family, the community and society is renewed
“they overcame hatred, revenge and malice through the merciful love of Christ
“Complete forgiveness—not the kind that says, ‘I forgive you, but I do not forget’—can be offered only if we ask God for His grace
“The Church calls us to forgive all the faults of our fellow human beings. In this way, we free our souls from the painful bonds of selfishness and revenge so that we may receive the Holy Eucharist.
“All people are created in the image of God, but only those who live in communion with Him through prayer and fulfil His will by being good and merciful attain likeness to God
“Even today, the Panagia is among us. She hears our prayers, listens to the pain of our souls and receives everything that our hearts wish to entrust to her, but which human words are often unable to express.
“every church dedicated to the Theotokos becomes “a little Gethsemane” on the Feast of the Dormition—a place of prayer, hope and consolation.
“Egypt became a refuge for Christ and the Panagia and remains a blessed land to this day
“through her words, “Let it be to me,” she entrusted herself to the will of God and became a model of faith and devotion.