Metropolitan Emmanuel of France officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Toulon (Russian tradition – Julian calendar), which is a parish of the newly established Vicariate of Russian tradition of the Metropolis of France.
In his homily, the Metropolitan of France underlined that “many can promise us the moon, but unfortunately all this is ephemeral. The only thing that matters in our lives is our love for Jesus Christ. He is the hope of our salvation and the only Lord in our lives.”
Elsewhere, the Metropolitan said, “The Fathers of the Church fought for unity and ruled out heretical teachings and dangerous threats to our faith. There was no shortage of divisive tendencies and even today the Church is being attacked in various ways from both inside and outside. Moves aspiring to ascend to power cause schisms and divisions. People who pursue their interest, not the benefit of the Church, as if they are going to live forever, without fear of God.
The Metropolitan of France also referred to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive measures in the churches of the Metropolis of France, which apply to all places of worship in France.
He urged the flock to take advantage of this difficult situation for all to realize that everything is fluid and ephemeral and feel the need to change their lives for the better. He urged them to feel that we were powerless before the omnipotence of God and that only the commitment to the glory of the Risen Christ of glory can save us.