UOC Primate: God came to the earth to save everybody – those who were righteous and those who were sinful

In his Sunday sermon after Gospel-reading, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, having recalled the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, paid attention to the fact it included not only the righteous, but also sinful females. It is reported by the UOC Information and Education Department.

“This genealogy stems from Adam, and offers 42 generations. But this is a random mention of the people who were related to Christ the Savior, underscored the Primate. – At the same time it mentions the names of females – Tamar, Rahava the fornicator, Ruth and the wife of military commander Uri. It’s noteworthy, it was traditional for ancient Jews to mention only male names, nevertheless, the women who were far from having a consecrated life, were included in the genealogy. What was it done for?”

His Beatitude told about the life of each of the women mentioned – they had their weaknesses, they were pagan, fell into various vices.

“God came to the earth to save all of us – both those who were righteous and those who were sinful. Among Christ’s grandparents in the flesh there are mentioned not only the righteous in order to relieve us, encourage us, since we all have weaknesses,” he said.

According to the Archpastor, we must remember the path to salvation is opened to everybody. “We have to be concerned only about one thing – to do penance for our sins and plead God for His grace and mercy.”

“By the prayers of saint fathers we commemorate today and whose names are enumerated in the genealogy of Christ the Savior, may God help us lead pious and pure lives. If we commit a sin, however, we should remember that Jesus Christ came to the earth to save culprits,” concluded Metropolitan Onuphry.