His Holiness speaks about a word at the beginning of the year and emphasizes that a good start is important, but the devil tries to shake a person in the first days of the year by attacking his points of weakness.

Urging Steadfastness and Resolve

He warns against despair when falling and mentions that the Scripture says a friend falls seven times and rises, and he encourages rising and determination to continue the spiritual life.

The Goal of Christian Life: Holiness

He places before the believers a clear goal which is the life of holiness based on the commandments of the Holy Scripture (like Peter’s saying: be holy) and states that without holiness one does not see the Lord, and that holiness brings the joy of heaven.

The Nature of Holiness and the Effect of Sin

He explains that God is holy and that sin corrupted the image of God in man; therefore repentance is necessary and returning to the image of God which God showed in the incarnate Body of Christ.

Pillars of Holiness in the Church

He explains that the Church reminds (people) of holiness in daily prayers and sanctifies everything related to God: the Book, the sacraments (baptism, chrism, the Eucharist), the altar, the fast, and the holy days, and that these means aim to sanctify the people.

Repentance and Practical Change

He calls for true repentance that changes behavior, thoughts, and speech, and affirms that the new year is a practical opportunity to erase the past and real change, citing examples from the Fathers of the Church who were transformed.

Life of Virtues as a Practical Plan

He defines two kinds of holiness: negative (leaving sin) and positive (walking in the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, and a practical godly life), and he encourages growth in virtues not merely abstaining from sin.

Differences of Degrees in the Kingdom and Hope

He mentions that degrees of bliss in heaven differ according to each person’s works and encourages the listener to use the year of testing to make up for the past and ascend in the life of holiness.

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