The lecture focuses on God’s call for humanity to live in holiness, because holiness is God’s own nature, and without holiness no one can see the Lord. God is love and forgiveness, but He is also Holy, and there is no fellowship between light and darkness. Therefore, a life of repentance and righteous conduct is the practical path to return to the original divine image in which man was created.

Main spiritual and educational points

1. God’s Holiness and the necessity of holiness for man

• God is Holy, and everything that belongs to Him is holy: the Scripture, the temple, the sacraments, the days, the people.

• Christ’s call: “Be holy, for I am holy.”

• Only the holy enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Man’s fall and the loss of the divine image

• Satan fell through pride, and man lost holiness by sin.

• Humanity drifted away until Scripture said: “There is none who does good, no, not one.”

3. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit

• Sin is not only wrongdoing; it makes man lose God’s likeness and grieves the indwelling Holy Spirit.

• Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.

4. Return to holiness through repentance

• Repentance is not only avoiding evil but walking in righteousness.

• Fighting sin “unto blood” as St. Paul taught.

• One cannot sin and claim “God is love” without real spiritual struggle.

5. The role of the sacraments in sanctifying man

• Baptism: taking off the old man and putting on Christ.

• Chrism: the Holy Spirit dwelling to help the life of holiness.

• Confession: erasing sins through repentance.

• Communion: union with the Holy Christ — “Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”

6. The saints and the people of God

• The Church is holy, and her people are supposed to be holy.

• “The Holy for the holy” proclaims that the sacraments are for the prepared.

7. Spiritual struggle and vigilance

• Spiritual watchfulness is necessary: guarding thought, heart, speech, and behavior.

• Holiness requires the fear of God, not negligence or spiritual sleep.

• Every work must be done with the participation of the Holy Spirit.

8. A practical call for a holy new year

• Cleansing heart, mind, and will through repentance.

• Preparing through the sacraments, especially at the beginning of the year.

• Walking in God’s light to restore the divine image.

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