Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich): Schism is a terrible catastrophe

On the feast day of the Holy Trinity, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), the Administrator of the UOC, addressed the faithful with an admonition on the importance of cathedral unity and the perniciousness of church divisions. The hierarch emphasized that true life in the Church is the building up of the Body of Christ, without which a person is doomed to spiritual waste.

According to Pravlife — Orthodox Life, the Metropolitan noted that only in union with Christ is the true gathering of the human person possible. Vladyka recalled the words of the Gospel: «Whoever does not gather with me wastes away» (Matthew 12:30), emphasizing that outside the unity of the Church, man loses the capacity for true love.

In his address, the Metropolitan paid special attention to the defense against false teachings. Referring to the teachings of St. Justin (Popovich), he pointed out that the cathedral unity of faith is the only means against the «cunning art of seduction.» According to the hierarch, schism is a «terrible catastrophe» and a fiery abyss in which thousands of souls perish. The only way to salvation, according to Metropolitan Anthony, is to remain in the true Church and sincere repentance.