Difference between believers' and non-believers' behaviour in crisis
Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich). Photo: religions.unian.net
Believers have the main treasure of the universe – faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They know that God Almighty is stronger than all worldly rulers, stronger than all worldly cataclysms and problems. Without His will, nothing happens in this world. Therefore, the believer in any situation seeks to trust God and rely on Him completely.
Does it mean that those who trust in God must be inactive? Of course not. Trust in God is not switching off brains but, on the contrary, their switching on. The Lord commanded His disciples to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. What does it mean? The serpent protects its life, has the instinct and wisdom of self-preservation but can cause harm to others. The dove is harmless but careless.
The Lord combined both and commanded us to reasonably and sensibly combine the instinct of self-preservation with harmlessness, not to be harmful like serpents and careless like doves, to stand guard over our well-being and safety, without anger and hatred for the abusers, and even pray for them. There is no use in wisdom if it doesn’t go side by side with harmlessness.
The scourge of our time is haste. And many problems stem precisely from the fact that we are in a hurry, we cannot endure. We are in a hurry to make decisions, to draw conclusions, to respond to offenders, but this is where the chain of most of our problems and sins begins. “Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers….They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips” (Psalm 140: 3). In this prayer, we ask God to help us not to hurry to say an unnecessary word, to make a hasty decision. We ask God: “Lord, help us keep silent and thereby preserve our peace of mind!”
It is very important that we do not panic under any circumstances, do not rush to spread rumors, carefully check the information received and not say stupid things. The more balanced our conclusions are, the closer they will be to the truth.
Read also
Same-Sex Attraction: A Lesson from the Desert Fathers
The Fathers reject both license and cruelty. They offer no stigma, only the call to crucify the flesh with its passions (Gal. 5:24) and rise in Christ.
Conservatism or Orthodoxy?
Life is very short. I’d rather spend it reading St. Paisios the Athonite than David Brooks. That has nothing to do with Mr. Brooks and everything to do with St. Paisios.
Put Down Your Smartphone and Grab Your Prayer Rope
St. Paisios calls us to become “spiritual signalmen,” reminding us of the victory that has already been accomplished. He says that joy in the Risen Christ must be stronger than any fear for tomorrow.
In Defense of Fr. Michael Crowley
In a pointed irony, Pokrov Truth tried to discredit Archpriest Michael Crowley’s ability to protect his flock from predators. Yet their own correction admits Fr. Michael knew of a convicted sex offender in his parish, enforced strict monitoring and supervision, informed parishioners, consulted the community, and ensured ongoing oversight. The very update disproves Pokrov 's fears while proving Fr. Michael's competence in managing such risks effectively and transparently.
The Man from Montenegro: A Response to Abp. Elia of Finland
We respect His Eminence’s right to defend himself vigorously. However, the UOJ claims the same right for ourselves. And so we must say once again: Our coverage was accurate and our analysis was perfectly fair, given the information available at the time. To label our work “misinformation” is not merely wrong but slanderous.
The Myth of ‘Judeo-Christian’ Civilization
American Evangelicals tend to idolize Rabbinic Judaism and the Zionist State. They should remember: Jesus Christ is the God of Israel, and the Church is His Kingdom on Earth. There is no other God; there is no other Kingdom.