Metropolitan Anthony: Faith has become a bargaining chip for those in power
Today faith has become a bargaining chip, which the powers that be easily donate to achieve their personal goals, says Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich).
At the same time they assure that they act in the name of faith. This was said in an interview with Vesti by Chancellor of the UOC Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary .
“The responses to complex challenges that have arisen today in church life are unequivocal for the believer. We know that nothing should come between Christ and Christians: no pleasures and affections of this world, no sweet promises and exhortations from outside. And even if the whole world lies at our feet, we should not worship it, be seduced and doubt the truth,” explained His Eminence.
According to him, unfortunately, "some were tempted and strayed from the right path."
“The rupture of Eucharistic relations after gross canonical violations of the Patriarchate of Constantinople is a pain for the entire Orthodox world. But there can be no greater pain for man than separation from Christ and His Church. And it is important to realize it for those who accepted this decision with irritation and anger, those who turn away from Christ only because they lack a familiar picture of life, a comfort zone, pleasant journeys and vivid impressions,” the hierarch says.
He asks the question, “Is it possible for a believer to rank these amenities higher than Christ, His love? Everyone needs to ask themselves: do I love the Lord, am I willing to sacrifice my habits, comfort, and pleasures for the sake of Him? If not, then such a faith is worthless. You cannot serve two masters, you need to be determined."
“Another misconception is that some people are going to defend the Church without worrying about their own salvation. I assure you it's impossible! You can’t believe in Christ and hate your neighbor. You cannot save anyone by going to the bottom. A drowning person must first save himself, moving with all his might to the shore. And only then help others. Paying too much attention to the news, discussing it, a person forgets to look into himself, to think about the eternal,” says the bishop.
He called everybody “to stand in truth until the end in the face of temptations; we will pray to Christ to give us the strength to endure them and not be tempted, as He endured the devilish temptations in the wilderness, denouncing Satan. Let's not forget that the Christian’s calling is to always be a Christian, especially in afflictions.”
As the UOJ reported, earlier Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), said what respect means in the ecclesiastic world and why there are no regular relations between people without it.
