The Holy Priest-Martyr Simeon, Relative of the Lord; Our Venerable Father Stephen, Bishop of Volodymyr in Volhynia (1094)
Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24
Read Acts 4:13-22
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Throughout human history, the Church and the state have sought to work in harmony or “symphonia” for the good of the people and nation. And throughout human history, attempts have ended in failure because at one point or another, their priorities diverged. The Church and its faithful must place and value the things of God above and beyond everything else in this world. The things of God may sometimes be synonymous with the desires of the state but when they are not, the Church must turn to our Lord and not to appeasing an earthly ruler.
The current war waged by Russia in Ukraine is a heinous act and must be condemned in the strongest of terms. One of the most scandalous aspects of this war has been the open support of the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church. For many years, the Russian state and the church have sought to create a harmony and symphonia to safeguard Christian values in the country. While the desire is admirable, the results leave much to be desired and the arrangement has placed the church in subjection to the whims of the state.
This war has indiscriminately killed innocent civilians, and many churches have been bombed. And despite these actions, which are contrary to the faith, the church leadership has openly supported and blessed it, valuing the things of the earth above the things of God.
Obedience is important for the Christian: obedience to God and, while living in the world, obedience to one’s country and the leadership. However, the former must always be placed above the latter. Obedience to God and His law are above all other obediences we may have, as God’s law is truth. When God’s law and the state law are in conflict, as Christians, we are to follow God’s in spite of any consequences this may bring about.
We may live in the world, but we are not of the world.