Moscow, August 21 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Orthodox Church called on the clergy to refrain from participating in political life and urged its flock not to follow provocations amid the events taking place in the country.
"We are again reminding the clergymen about the promise they gave before God not to participate in the political life of society, not to be a temptation and an object of people's division," the synodal department of the Belarusian Orthodox Church said in a release issued on Friday.
According to the report, the Orthodox Church "believes it is not consistent with its mission to call for participation or non-participation in political rallies, but it strongly condemns all types of violence, fanning hatred and intolerance against anyone, doctors, police, teachers, authorities, or some other social groups."
The document says the Belarusian Orthodox Church hopes that the relevant bodies will investigate "outrageous situations of cruelty" and contains a call for speedy restoration of peace, unity and mutual understanding. Besides, it states that special requests and prayers are said in all Orthodox churches and monasteries of Belarus during liturgies "for the people of Belarus." The church calls on all Orthodox Christians of Belarus and everyone who cares about the future of the republic to join this prayer.
"As to participation in public life and issues relating to the expression of people's will, we are asking everyone to be reasonable so that our faith, trust in God and church symbols are not used by anyone ass an instrument for achieving political or other earthly goals that are far from the high spiritual and moral ideals that the world's Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Church are preaching to us," the statement said.
"Take care of yourself and those who are dear to you, don't follow to provocations, evil calls and promises, but act according to the evangelical moral law and the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in all deeds," the document said.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Belarus: Clergy don't protest
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Wow, the hypocrisy is just so intense...
ReplyDeleteCan you explain more?
DeleteYes.
DeleteThank you God, for America.
ReplyDeleteHave mercy, dear Lord for the good people of Belarus.
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ReplyDeletehttps://publicorthodoxy.org/2020/08/27/pastoral-guidance-civic-engagement/
ReplyDeleteThis article addresses Christian and specifically pastoral responses to the unrest besetting the world these days, how our salvation is found in the dispensing of compassion. For the hierarchs of the Belarusyn Church to muzzle clergy in the nation’s hour of news seems cowardly
I know a senior priest who participated in political protest against an unjust politician. He was severely and unjustly chastened by his bishop who could not tolerate his priest expressing a political opinion contrary to his own. Not too long afterwards that hierarch was ousted by outraged laymen and clergy (esp. clergy wives) who would not stand for this bishop’s hypocritical morality that was endangering young women.
The Russian Orthodox Church is taking a cowardly stance in Belarus. It is clear President Lukashenko has stolen the election and resorts to police violence to intimidate opposition. A Church with a soul would stand up to this tyrant. I’m losing all respect for Patr. Kirill who looks ever more like a shill for Putin.
I think I will take Arch Zacharias over Public heterodoxy any day.
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DeleteLance H., (edited because it read like I was drunk ;) )
DeleteThat essay by Fr. Nektarios in the end rests on a Christian account of the virtues, which themselves rest on a Christian account of *anthropology* (i.e. the answer to the question "what is man (anthropos)?" and how is he related to God, Creation, and each other). Thing is in our western civ. context, it is a *modern* account of anthropology, namely a Cartesian one (that usually goes by the name of "Classical Liberalism", that underlies our culture and political structures.
What all this means is that Fr. Nektarios prescription, that:
"...From our great treasure of wisdom and truth we can encourage an environment that engages others in dialog and action from values that are essential in navigating rapid change and complex issues for the health and stability of our society..."
Is not wrong in principle, but it's not going to change the course of society or the world - western civ. has been moving in the *opposite* direction of Christian anthropology and virtue for a long time (500 years minimum). Indeed, there is a certain vanity (and often arrogance/pride as well) in the idea that "dialogue" with modern people leads anywhere good beyond a very limited, very occasionally "personal conversion" outcome with the one we are in "dialogue" with. Indeed, the history of western Christianity (in both RC and Protestant varieties) shows us that this "dialogue" more often than not effects us and our Churches/institutions more than it brings about conversion of individuals/cultures/governments/institutions.
Our pastor's would be wise to be up front about this historical and practical futility, and work instead to make the real distinctions between a Christian "justice" and "mercy" understood among Christians themselves. What a modern person/culture/society means by life, mercy, justice, equity, and the like is not what we mean by them.
As far as how all this relates to Belarus, I am not sure. Not being a classical liberal, I am not very interested in "democracy" and political liberalism - it does not lead to Christian virtue. I am not at all convinced that the Belarusyn Church is taking the wrong position, in fact they are probably wise in dealing with things in this way.
Nationalism and Antinationalism
ReplyDeleteBy Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
https://pemptousia.com/2020/08/nationalism-and-antinationalism/
‘For whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos [I am Russian, I am Romanian]; are ye not carnal?’ (1 Cor. 3:3-4). To be nationalistic means to be carnal. In fact anything that we prefer to Christ makes us carnal. When there are quarrels and jealousies and divisions, we are carnal. We are of the flesh not only when we serve the passion of dishonour, but when we serve any passion. In one of his sermons, Saint Philaret was ready to sing a song of praise and gratitude to the place where he was born, but immediately his heart stopped him and he said, ‘I hear another voice in my heart, which says “He that loves father or mother or country more than Me, is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37).’ Therefore, when we love our nations more than the Church, more than God, we are carnal. However, to be antinationalistic, to be against one particular nation is even worse. Nationalism is at least natural to fallen people who struggle for survival. It is not blessed, but we could say that there is some kind of excuse, because they do not know anything else. It is the same when we love our life and struggle for survival for fear of death, and in that fear of death we sin, says Saint Paul (Rom. 5:12), because we become selfish and capable of any crime in order to survive. If we are really spiritual, we simply surrender.
I don’t see how this addresses popular protest of a stolen election resulting in the continuation of a morally bankrupt regime. To be a Christian is not to have a political and social conscience that is muzzled by some misplaced notion of meekness I’m the face of brutal oppression. Lukashenko has shown himself clearly to be on the side of the devil, by continuing to wreak deadly violence on any who would oppose him by any means. The church that does not respectfully tell him it’s tome to retire is not doing its job.
DeleteSurely there is a need for balance. I love the good Arch. Zacharias and have worshipped in Essex. But I'm not sure he would subscribe to do nothing rather than "preach the Gospel". Of course we can lose ourselves and easily become wrapped up in a politics of who wins and who loses. But we should also not lose sight that there is real danger to our brothers and sisters and real suffering that ensues from men of violence taking control of a country (or continuing in control) and if we allow others to do violence to "the least of these" then we have condemned ourselves and our brothers in doing nothing. Let me add that I know very little about Belarus, but I do see that in many cases policing in the USA has escalated harsh treatment from the once very rare occurrence it usually has to a more common one through adopting tactics akin to those used in 3rd world conflicts with assault rifles, hyper rapid resort to gunfire, hooding, etc. and we have to wonder how we came to this level of inhumane treatment of one another. This has become too common to be an isolated case of hiring the wrong persons. That we have allowed these practices to be engaged in our name is a shameful negligence on our part... my part, too. My home streets saw plenty of violence, riots, etc. and incredibly stoic policing back in the late 1960's. This definition of unflappable policing as "manly" appears vanished in a video game infused reality that seems to echo the vignettes we see in today's news. I am sure there is more goodness than we see, but I am equally sure the police I have known would not stand still for the seemingly widespread misconduct we appear to be seeing. I have given to police charities for years in the name of one of our sunday school teaching state troopers who was killed by a DWI while performing a classic, good samaritan favor to a motorist... just days after we vacationed together. But I am pondering my responsibility to voice a rethink to these same groups that they have let Tony down. Trooper Tony Jones was better than this and honored for it by his country, his state and county. We are ALL better than this. The police are better than this, but too many of us don't want to call them to their traditional high standards. Yes it is hard to do in a balanced way. But I don't think that allows us to dodge the responsibility. Similarly, clergy should not be silenced - whether in the USA or in Belarus, but instead challenged to lead us in engaging injustice and threats of violence in a christian way, in the image and likeness of Christ. Dodging this responsibility to preach the Gospel seems to say that when push comes to shove (literally) the Gospel doesn't matter... nor do our brothers and sisters. Are we and they really on our own? If so, then we should conclude someone thinks "it is all about me".
DeleteAfter all this is over, every Orthodox who cozies up to Moscow will be remembered the way we remember the Silver Shirts. Including by Russians / "Near Abroad"-ians.
ReplyDeleteBrothers in faith, thanks for your words and support! Regards from Belarus
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, I think Arch. Zacharias would insist the Gospel be preached... "sometimes, use words."
ReplyDeleteMarytrdom is the loudest way to preach the Gospel without words
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