St. George Cathedral of Stockholm
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, on the blessed feast of the Sunday of All Saints, the Orthodox Church honors and celebrates all the saints of God—known and unknown, ancient and modern, men and women, martyrs, apostles, hierarchs, monastics, and every faithful servant who pleased God throughout the ages.
This feast follows immediately after Pentecost because the Church wishes to show us the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The saints are the living proof that the grace of the Holy Spirit transforms human beings and leads them to holiness and union with God.
The saints are not honored because they possessed extraordinary human abilities. They are honored because they loved Christ above all things. They struggled against sin, practiced repentance, endured trials, and remained faithful to the Lord. They are not distant heroes beyond our reach; they are witnesses that God’s grace can work in every human life.
The Lord Himself calls each one of us to holiness. In the Holy Scriptures we hear the divine command: “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44)
Holiness, therefore, is not reserved for a select few. It is the calling of every Christian. Every baptized person is invited to become a saint. The purpose of our life is not simply to be good people according to worldly standards, but to become transformed by the grace of God and to reflect the image of Christ in our lives.
Saint John Chrysostom reminds us that we honor the saints not only by praising them but by imitating their virtues.
In our own times, we have seen holy men and women such as Saint Paisios, St. Tychon, St. gerasimos and St. Ephraim of Mount Athos, Saint Porphyrios and Saint Sophrony of Essex. Their lives remind us that sanctity did not end in the early centuries of Christianity. God continues to raise up saints in every generation, showing that the Gospel remains alive and active in the world.
May the saints inspire us to deepen our prayer, strengthen our faith, and increase our love for God and for one another. And may we always remember that the goal of the Christian life is not merely earthly success, but participation in the holiness and eternal life of God. Amen!
