Without forgiving one's neighbor, a person will not be able to receive forgiveness from the Lord: the sermon of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphriustranslated

August 16, 2026 · 1 min read

On August 16, 2026, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, the Gospel passage with the Savior's parable about the merciless debtor was read during the Divine Liturgy. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine told the congregation about the meaning of this parable in his sermon, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC. According to the Primate, the Lord compares man's sins before God MORE DETAILS →

Source: Ukrainian Orthodox Church — church.ua · Read the full story →

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Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

This parable of the merciless lender always gets me. Metropolitan Onufrios said it clearly: if we do not forgive our brother, God's forgiveness does not fit within us. I remember how many times I have seen it in action at work, when we hold grudges over little things and then pray without peace.

Elena Nako

This parable hits me every time. Metropolitan Onufri said it clearly: if we do not forgive our neighbor, there is no place in us for God's forgiveness. It reminds me of the day I held a grudge over a small debt at the store and then couldn't pray properly for myself.

Sotir Nako

Yes, Elena, something similar happened to me with that little debt at the store – I held my grudge for two days and then I had a heaviness in my chest every time I tried to say goodbye. Metropolitan Onufri put his finger on the wound: forgiveness is not just words, but space that we leave to God. Have you ever tried to forgive him immediately, without waiting for the day to pass?

Пётр Киселёв

Yes, this parable always touches me. Metropolitan Onuphry precisely said: if you do not forgive your neighbor, then you cannot contain God’s forgiveness within yourself. It also happened to me at work - you hold a petty grudge against your shift worker, and then at the service on Sunday you stand and feel as if prayer is not going on. Thanks for the reminder.

Vangjel Kristo

Yes, Sotir, I too have experienced that weight in my chest when I was angry about a small debt like the one you say. Once in the store at the bazaar in Gjirokastër, they confused my bill for 200 lek and I held my grudge for a week, but when I spoke about it immediately, it was as if a stone was removed from my chest. Do you think this comes from the evening prayer we do together with the children?

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