Damascene of Aetolia and Acarnania: "One with another, one for another and all together in Christ"translated

The message of the Metropolitan of Aetolia and Acarnania Mr. Damascenes for Sunday 18 October 2026 is focused on the need to transform human relationships through the love of Christ, to confront suspicion and isolation and to highlight the fellow man as a brother and neighbor. The starting point of the message is the well-known philosophical phrase "Hell is other people", through which His Holiness describes the difficulties that often characterize human relationships, such as the fear of rejection, criticism and suspicion. As he points out, suspicion drives people away, as "where there could be trust, fear is born. Where there could be cooperation, competition is born. Where there could be love, distance is created."

Referring to Sunday's apostolic passage and the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians, Metropolitan Damascene presents the example of the Apostle, who, despite the fact that he is in prison, recognizes his associates and fellow travelers as a source of comfort and support. Through this reference, he emphasizes that the other man…