In his sermon, a priest should speak about Christ and the salvation of a person’s soul, questions of economics, politics, etc. should be left to the experts said Metropolitan Filaret of Nova Kakhovka and Henichesk during a meeting of the clergy of the Nova Kakhovka diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The meeting was held in the Iveron Church of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region on June 14, 2022, reports Eparhiya.org.ua.
“From the ambo of the church, at the confession lectern, even in private conversations with parishioners, speak only about Christ the Lord, and about nothing else. You might say, what should you do if they ask you? Well, answer that all other questions are for economists, politicians, the military, etc.; but me, a shepherd of the flock of Christ, [please ask] questions about prayer, salvation, the Gospel, the fight against sins, etc. If we stop caring about salvation and instead go into politics, we will stop being pastors, and God will leave us,” said Metropolitan Filaret.
The hierarch noted that the clergy is responsible for the peace and unity of the parishioners. He encouraged those present to have Christian love for one’s neighbor.
“Learn to love one another; learn to endure each other; learn to forgive each other. Learn not to perceive a person, who thinks differently than you, as an enemy . If we do not do this, God will depart from us, and without God we cannot do anything. Now it is very difficult, incredibly difficult; but this is a unique opportunity, without further ado, to be Christians, for each in his own place,” said the head of the Nova Kakhovka diocese.
“Make efforts to communicate with your flock, do not wait for “guiding instructions” from your hierarch in order to reassure someone, explain something to someone, or educate someone. I am convinced that together we can find a solution to any issue. Through communication, everything can be resolved in the Holy Church,” concluded Metropolitan Filaret.
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