Epistle Of His Eminence Metropolitan Vitaly, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Beloved brothers and sisters of our Russian
Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
In our life, by God’s Providence, every
joy is always preceded by labour and divers coercion, however every grief and sorrow are
the prelude of unexpected joy. There is neither continuous joy nor permanent sorrow; for
continuous joy would absolutely corrupt us and permanent sorrow would lead us into
despair. In the Church there exists a force which overcomes everything, however seldom
used by us. This force is humility.
By striking someone we only prove that we are
completely devoid of «wise words» and are only able to use physical force. And so
humility alone remains the real force, overcoming everything.
We all have received from God a great gift,
which we call conscience. The word itself indicates many things and I would like to
draw your attention to the meaning of this wonderful word. Con-science indicates
not only our inmost thought but defines also the sharing of our knowledge with God
himself. We all are in extreme need to listen to the voice of our conscience. This voice
speaks always and is never silent. When completing good deeds, our conscience will be
filled with God's joy; when behaving badly, we will have a feeling of reproach, thus some
times depriving us from sleep. Conscience itself is considered to be God's voice within
each human being.
Why are some people following their conscience and others not? Where from originates this disparity? The answer is simple: it is based on the great gift of personal freedom, granted to us by the Lord. This is the key and reason for good and evil. It is the cause why all humanity is divided into two groups of good and evil. In other words, this is the only true cause and source for good and evil. Man in his freedom chooses either one or the other.
In his time, a wise man addressed people with
the words «you are gods». Of cause we are not gods, however we are eternal, for the
power of death thus not prevail over us. We simply leave the body which turns into dust
and will be awaiting the Second coming of Christ-Saviour and Great Judgment, when the Lord
returns us into our bodies.
This also explains why at the beginning, the Holy Archangel Satanail who was tempted by his beauty and power, became Satan. Let us now remember the conversation between elder Seraphim of Sarov and Motovilov, latter who thoughtlessly spoke of Satan. The father told him firmly, never to speak in such a manner of Satan, for even the smallest devil possesses such force, that at any moment he could grind the whole earth into dust. It is only the will of God who prevents him to do so and he remains content in the knowledge of his existing power. Therefore it is better never to speak of Satan and to refer to him. This is the only right attitude towards him.
Amen.
+ Metropolitan Vitaly 23 February/10 March
2003
Sunday of the Prodigal son.