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The love of God – the source of the love of neighbour (video)
Post date: 2026-06-06Autor: BCP
The love of God – the source of the love of neighbour + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection by Patriarch Elijah: Give thanks to God for everything – even for the blows that give shape
Post date: 2026-06-05Autor: BCP
Michelangelo was about to make a sculpture of Moses. One day a large stone or rather a huge boulder was brought to him. He and his apprentice went to see it. They walked around it with delight. Michelangelo thought for a while, looking at the stone, and then said: “I see Moses in there.” The apprentice wondered, saying: “Moses? It’s no Moses; it’s just a stone.” Michelangelo replied: “But I see him there.” “What needs to be done to really have him in there?” Michelangelo said: “All that is not Moses must be removed.” “And how will it happen?” “Chisel, hammer, and blows. It is blows that give shape.” It is the same with us. All that is not Jesus in us must be removed. And how will it happen? It is blows that give shape. God often has to visit trials or suffering on us, sometimes even through other people who scold us or do us a wrong, or through a loss or the death of our dear ones… It is the blows that give shape.
The Holy Spirit is the chief rector and dean of the University of True Wisdom
Post date: 2026-05-30Autor: BCP
“I am telling you these things,” Jesus says to the apostles the evening before His death, “now while I am still with you.” He won’t be with the apostles for much longer. These are the final moments before His departure. Imagine a father saying goodbye to his children, knowing that he will be executed the next day. He is innocent, but he will still be executed. He’ll give his beloved children his heart on a plate. He’ll give them everything he has. And Jesus, with far greater love, imparts the depths of truth to the apostles as far as He knows they are able to bear and receive. He knew that they were still unable to accept many things, but He pointed to the hope that is the Holy Spirit. And here’s what He says: “… while I am still with you. … But the Comforter (Advocate), whom the Father will send in My name…” When someone comforts someone who is depressed, a word can save a life. “Comforter” – He comforts. “Comforter” or “Advocate”. You actually enjoy patronage at the highest levels. Imagine that you cannot get to the truth or achieve justice – it’s just not possible. Then someone says to you: “Look, there’s a man whose patronage will help you. He defends the truth. He’ll speak up for you…” The Holy Spirit is our patron! He is our Comforter, or Advocate.
God’s love – Agape – is poured into our hearts by God (video)
Post date: 2026-05-18Autor: BCP
God’s love – Agape – is poured into our hearts by God + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Humility
Post date: 2026-05-07Autor: BCP
Of all people, the Virgin Mary is the supreme model of humility. The Lord Jesus, God and Man, said: “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” He said clearly that this is what we should learn from Him. He clearly demands it from us. We should practically deny ourselves, accept our cross and follow Him humiliated, abandoned and crucified. Humility is the basis of all virtues. The opposite of humility is pride which leads to eternal death, while humility is the key to heaven. Humility overcomes the devil and the old self in us.
The encounter between the Risen Jesus and His Mother /Motivation for prayer at the Easter season/
Post date: 2026-04-17Autor: BCP
Mary is looking at her glorified Son. Her heart magnifies the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God her Saviour. “My soul magnifies the Lord!” You can repeat these words of hers in your heart in prayer and imagine that you are now in Jerusalem and see Jesus appearing to His Mother. Look at the Risen Jesus by faith just like the Virgin Mary. Experience the moment of looking into His face. He is present here. Experience this encounter together with the Blessed Virgin and rejoice with her. She is your Mother.
Unite your pain with Mine
Post date: 2026-04-03Autor: BCP
In suffering, we must stand in the faith and not groan. We must give thanks and praise the Lord, turn our eyes to the suffering Jesus and unite our pain, loneliness, spiritual dryness and all sorts of negative feelings, which are hard to express, with the pain of Jesus. Let us give every thought, every problem or fear to Jesus in faith.
Repent immediately (video)
Post date: 2026-03-21Autor: BCP
Repent immediately. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Learn to be truthful before God (video)
Post date: 2026-03-12Autor: BCP
Learn to be truthful before God. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Stop before God every time you sin (video)
Post date: 2026-02-20Autor: BCP
Stop before God every time you sin + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Where is the power of sin broken? (video)
Post date: 2026-02-17Autor: BCP
Where is the power of sin broken? + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The testing of Job (video)
Post date: 2026-02-07Autor: BCP
The testing of Job. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The Word was God (video)
Post date: 2026-01-26Autor: BCP
The Word was God. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
God the Father sent God the Son (video)
Post date: 2026-01-13Autor: BCP
God the Father sent God the Son. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Everything must be built on sound foundation – Jesus Christ (video)
Post date: 2025-10-14Autor: BCP
Everything must be built on sound foundation – Jesus Christ. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
We are obliged to know the basic principles of the life of faith (video)
Post date: 2025-10-11Autor: BCP
We are obliged to know the basic principles of the life of faith. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The harder the fight, the more humility and self-surrender to Jesus we need
Post date: 2025-10-09Autor: BCP
The Lord shows us that the harder and deeper the fight is, the more humility and self-surrender to Jesus we need. We need to deny ourselves! There is only one rule here: to carry the cross and enter into death with Christ through the Mother of God.
A life of victory (video)
Post date: 2025-10-03Autor: BCP
A life of victory. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Be aware that you will meet Jesus face to face (video)
Post date: 2025-09-27Autor: BCP
Be aware that you will meet Jesus face to face. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Be a warrior of God! (video)
Post date: 2025-09-15Autor: BCP
Be a warrior of God! + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate