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Dimitriados Ignatios: "We are called to be the light of the world"translated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

Rev. Metropolitan of Dimitrias, Mr. Ignatios, in the presence of a large number of believers. In his sermon, His Eminence referred to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which we are honoring today, and emphasized its importance for the life of the Church, on the one hand because it confirmed the three previous ones, and on the other hand, because it theologized about the human and divine nature of Christ, in whose person both coexist, without one overriding the other.

"This is how our salvation is ensured", pointed out Mr. Ignatius, "since Christ took human nature and resurrected it and calls us to take part in His own Resurrection".

Next, he referred to the word of the Lord in today's Gospel reading, where "Christians are called to be the light of the world. Material light invigorates and warms. Thanks to this, there is life on earth. However, the Lord speaks of the spiritual light, which illuminates our whole existence and becomes the expression of our life. He calls us to hire this light, saving the truth of the faith, to enlighten all people, without exception. The light of Christ sweetens and warms souls,...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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ქეთევან მამულაშვილი

Thanks for this story. I especially liked what Ignatius said that both natures are equal in Christ and therefore we have hope in the resurrection. It was a great week to hear that.

Xenia Parker

Thanks for sharing this. I really liked how Metropolitan Ignatios connected the Fourth Ecumenical Council to our own hope of resurrection — that Christ took our full human nature and raised it without one nature overpowering the other. That part about being the light of the world hit home too; it’s not just nice words, it’s a daily call to actually live the faith so others can see it.

Bogdan Popescu

Thanks for the article. I liked how Metropolitan Ignatius linked the 4th Synod to our hope in the Resurrection - that Christ took our whole humanity and resurrected it without one defeating the other. The part about the "light of the world" that warms the souls seemed concrete to me, just what we need every day.

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ირაკლი აბაშიძე

Detevan, I really liked this part too - that both natures are equal and therefore we have hope. I was explaining this to the kid at home last night, and he asked me, "Dad, can we let this light go, too?" It was a really good week.

Andrew Turner

Yes, that link between the Council and the Resurrection is what stayed with me too. When he said Christ raised our human nature without one side dominating the other, it made the whole “light of the world” bit feel practical, not just poetic. Do you find it easier to live that out at home or when you’re out and about in the city?

Irene Thomas

I liked how he tied the two natures staying in balance straight to our own resurrection too. It makes the “light of the world” part feel less like a slogan and more like something that has to start in ordinary choices, like how I try to keep the tone gentle when my daughter’s having a meltdown after school. Do you find that easier on Sundays after liturgy or during the week?

Sophia Moore

I get what you mean about it starting in the small stuff. For me the gentle tone is harder during the week when I'm trying to get everyone out the door on time, but the Gospel reading does make me pause and remember why it matters. Do you usually talk about the homily with your daughter afterward, or just try to live it out quietly?

Helen Campbell

I liked that too, Xenia. The part about the two natures staying in balance really clicked for me when he tied it to Christ raising our actual human flesh—makes the resurrection feel concrete, not abstract. For me the “light of the world” bit usually shows up in small stuff like staying patient with patients on the night shift. How about you—does it hit different at home with your toddler or out in the world?

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ნიკოლოზ გელაშვილი

You had a really good week, Irakli. I really liked the child's question - "Can we let this light go?" - This is the answer itself. I was in the mountains yesterday, and it seems to me that the real light begins like this, with small questions at home.

Emily Adams

The two natures bit stayed with me too, especially the way he said our human flesh gets raised with Christ’s. That makes the whole thing feel like it happens right in the body, not somewhere up in the clouds. For me the light of the world shows up most when I’m out in the garden early, pulling weeds before Liturgy; it’s quiet and you can actually feel the difference between ordinary daylight and that other kind. Do you find the night-shift patience easier after you’ve been to church the day before?

Helen Baker

The balance between the two natures does make the resurrection feel like something that happens in the actual bodies we live in every day. For me the “light of the world” part lands hardest when I’m trying to keep my cool with a room full of restless third-graders who’d rather be anywhere else. Does the night-shift patience ever spill over into how you handle your own little one when she’s up at 3 a.m.?

Nicholas Anderson

The two natures without one swallowing the other does make the Resurrection feel very concrete, doesn’t it? I remember trying to stay patient with my own kids at that exact 3 a.m. hour; some nights the “light of the world” felt more like a dim torch than anything glowing. How do you keep the patience from running out before the sun comes up?