UOC Chancellor urges not to judge clergy and one another
Metropolitan Antony reminded that not even all saints are granted the ability to read human hearts and foresee behavior in trials.
Metropolitan Antony (Pakanych), The UOC Chancellor, called on believers not to judge one another and the church leadership in the current trials.
He noted that recently there has been criticism directed at the leadership of the UOC. However, the bishop emphasized: “Not everyone, even saints, is given the ability to read human hearts. Likewise, it is impossible to accurately predict how someone will behave in trials.”
As a historical example, the chief of administration cited the case from 1921, when the future hieromartyr Metropolitan Benjamin of Petrograd ordained Alexander Vvedensky as a protopriest, unaware that he would become the leader of the anti-church Renovationist movement and organize the “Living Church”.
The Metropolitan reminded the faithful that all people have flaws, including candidates for the sacred order and church positions. “When someone is appointed to a certain position, it is often done with the expectation that the person will gradually overcome their shortcomings and grow spiritually,” the hierarch explained.
However, a person's true nature is revealed only “in times of severe trials and temptations”, when “under the pressure of circumstances, a person can fully show all sides of themselves: both the best and, alas, the worst.”
The Chancellor warned against overconfidence: “It would be presumptuous to believe that we alone will stand firm in the circumstances we may face. The more confident we are in our own strength, the greater the chances of falling, for overconfidence is not a good adviser.”
The Metropolitan urged “not to judge those whose place we do not occupy: no one knows what different people go through in difficult circumstances, or whether we ourselves would have enough wisdom and strength to endure.”
“Today, all believers need not to judge one another but to pray for the granting of strength not only for those who are experiencing the harshest pressure, but also for ourselves, so that we may stand firm,” concluded the UOC Chancellor.
Earlier, the UOJ reported the words of Metropolitan Antony that the mobilization of the UOC clergy is a deliberate desecration of holy rank by the authorities.
