← News feed Church of Greece

Timothy of Thessalio: The right faith as the foundation of salvation and the Christian lifetranslated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaly, Mr. Timotheus, officiated at the procession of Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Agios Dimitrios Neraida, Farsala. During his sermon, he developed the importance of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which met in 451 AD. in Chalcedon, pointing out that it is one of the leading moments in church history, as it clearly formulated the orthodox belief about the divine-human person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He referred to the sects of Nestorianism and Monophysitism, which attempted to interpret the mystery of the Incarnation with human measures.

As he pointed out, the Church, through the 630 God-bearing Fathers of the Synod, proclaimed that Christ is perfect God and perfect man, with two natures that are united "unconfusedly, inexorably, indivisible and inseparably", without being confused or separated. He also emphasized that the Virgin Mary is truly the Theotokos, since in her womb the union of the created with the Uncreated took place, which is the foundation of man's salvation.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that the right faith is not a theoretical teaching, but...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

Ion Florea

Thanks for the article. I liked how Metropolitan Timotei pointed out that the two natures of Christ are united "without mixing, without change, without division and without separation" - this clarifies why those heresies, Nestorianism and Monophysitism, do not hold. And that the Mother of God is truly the Mother of God, not just an ordinary mother, is the foundation of our salvation. That's right, right faith is not a theory, we have to live it day by day.

Andreea Matei

Yes, Ion, that wording from Chalcedon is clear and precise, exactly as the Metropolitan said. I especially remembered the connection with salvation: if we do not understand well who Christ is, how can we trust that he can really save us? How do you think this is seen in everyday life, in our parish?

Ilie Constantinescu

Yes, Andreea, the wording from Chalcedon is really clear and holds water. In our parish, I see this especially when someone is going through a serious illness: if he knows that Christ is truly God and man, he prays differently, with concrete hope, not fear. Have you noticed how people's prayers change after they better understand the two threads?

Bogdan Tudor

Yes, Elijah, you are right, the formulation from Chalcedon really applies. In our parish, we saw the same thing with an electrician neighbor who had a heart attack two years ago: after he understood that Christ is truly man and God, he prayed more calmly, he no longer trembled with fear. Do you think it would help to talk about it more often in the church choir, between songs?

Nicolae Gheorghiu

Yes, Andreea, you put the issue of trust in salvation well. In our parish, I see this especially when fishing, when an old man like me sits alone on the shore and thinks about life: if he knows that Christ is truly God and man, then his troubles also gain meaning, they don't just seem like a blind burden. Have you seen how the attitude of someone who goes through the loss of a child, for example, changes?

Teodora Ionescu

Yes, Andreea, the connection with salvation is the most important, as the Metropolitan also said. In our parish, I see this when I sew at the machine in the evening and I think about the children: if I know that Christ is truly God and man, then my tiredness as a saleswoman becomes worthwhile, it doesn't just seem like a chore. Have you ever felt this when you prepare a meal for your family?

Corina Rusu

Yes, Elijah, I also saw a lady from the parish who went through cancer three years ago. After she had a good grasp of the two threads united without admixture, her prayer became quieter, as if she were talking to someone who understands the pain on His skin. Do you think it would be good to read more often from the Tomos of Chalcedon in the evening catechesis?

Alexandra Marin

Yes, Corina, I also heard from a neighbor from Constanța who went through a serious illness; after she understood that Christ really suffered in human nature, without changing Himself, she also calmed down. The Tomus of Chalcedon is good to read in catechesis, but I think it would be simpler to take short fragments first, otherwise people get lost. How about we start with the explanation of Our Lady as Theotokos?