Dear Reverend
Fathers:
 |
| Archbishop Mark |
The events in Beslan, which drew our diocese into close
communion with the victims of extremists, once again
showed the world how man is becoming degraded when he
sinks into fanaticism in the name of
ideology—whether religious, nationalistic or
political. People today often hide behind faith in their
god, but in reality they have lost all piety and as a
result have no respect for humanity.
A human being who severs his relationship with God is
transformed into a hater of mankind. We belong to that One
Church which was established by the Savior. This deprives
us of the right to hate, to treat others with disdain or
despise their beliefs.
Belonging to the true Church of Christ, Catholic and
Apostolic, obliges us to live fully in accordance with the
commandments of the Gospel and to serve as an example of
true Christian life to others. The living truth of Christ
reveals to us our own sins and failings. With a pure
heart, we repent in the fact that we ourselves serve as a
poor example to the world of life according to the Gospel.
Through genuine repentance, by transforming our hearts, we
can bring others to the truth of Christ, but we cannot do
this through self-aggrandizement or condemnation.
In the countries which comprise our two dioceses, as well
as in Russia, militant Islam is developing, as well as
other militant ideologies of different colorations, from
fascist to pseudo-liberal. But in my opinion, indifference
to our own faith and to the beliefs of others contains no
less a danger than alien fanaticism or cynicism and
corruption. We Orthodox must truly grow into our faith and
our traditions, we must fill ourselves with Christ and His
love, and not simply fulfill some external rituals which
we barely even understand. We must all learn to listen to
our own hearts, listen to God, to immerse ourselves in
prayer, and heed the words and thoughts of our
neighbors.
How often we dismiss the sorrows and joys of our
neighbors. Meanwhile, we forget: he who cannot listen to
one’s neighbor can hardly listen to himself, being
unable to hear the call of his heart, and heed God in his
heart, his conscience. He does not then understand what is
happening in his own heart. This is the first thing that
we must learn. Only then can we be suffused with love and
respect for man as God’s creation and can hope that
the Lord will also bring others to this view of life, His
holy gift.
September 11 falls on a Sunday this year, and moreover,
this is a day of fasting, precisely because this day, St
John the Baptist, who fervently loved God, was unjustly
slain. Through prayer and fasting, said the Savior, the
devil goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. I ask all
the clergymen of our dioceses on this day to make special
petitions during Liturgy, and if possible to address the
flock with a sermon in this same spirit.
With love in Christ, I remain yours,
+Archbishop Mark
