Translated material
The sin of the patriarch
In society
The sin of the patriarch
July 23, 2013 Alexander Podrabinek
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Cyril called the legalization of same -sex marriages in various countries of the world "a very dangerous apocalyptic symptom." That is, according to the Patriarch, the end of the world is already close and gay union-his forerunners. The media was spent with headlines such as "same -sex marriages bring the end of the world closer, Cyril announced." No one, of course, prohibits neither Patriarch Cyril, nor anyone else to predict the end of the world. There were always more than enough fans of fans to be afraid of people with Armageddon. In theology, there is even a special doctrine of the end of the world - eschatology.
However, there are two nuances in the horror stories of Patriarch Kirill, which I would like to note. Who exactly speaks of sin and what this sin consists of.
“Recently, we have come across huge temptations, when in a number of countries the choice in favor of sin is approved and justified by law, and those who, acting according to conscience, are fighting with such laws imposed minority, are subjected to repression,” Patriarch Kirill Sorinka searches in the eyes of the West, not noticing the logs in the eyes of his own Fatherland. In the West, repressions against opponents of gay marks? Did anyone sent a sentence? Planted? Fined? Dismissed from work? “Names, passwords, appearances, please,” - as one patriarchal friend and ally say. There are neither repressed, nor repression, nobody and nothing but the fantasies of Patriarch Kirill.
And on the other hand, it would not be bad to the patriarch to pay attention to political repressions in Russia. Yes, and to look at his beloved and at his church, who insisted on the camp period for Alekhina and Tolokonnikova. No, his Holiness will not pay attention to lawlessness in Russia, for it is not driven by compassion, but an accurate political calculation. He needs to find it extremely for the society of a convenient internal enemy, the campaign against which the church will be able to lead.
Vladimir Gundyaev, the future Patriarch, showed his prudence in the mid-90s, when under his beginning the Russian Orthodox Church was engaged in duty-free import from abroad and further implementation of alcohol and tobacco. This was drawn up as humanitarian aid, and that was the sanction of the Government of the Russian Federation. In fairness, it should be noted that the Russian Fund for Disabled War in Afghanistan, the National Sports Fund and the Fund of the 50th anniversary of Victory used the same benefits. But these at least engaged in business, and did not climb into life teachers.
The Primate now discusses the apocalyptic sin of sodistiness and it may seem that it reasons sincerely. What about the spread of alcohol and tobacco is not a sin? What about trade in temples? In the best Pharisee traditions, this is now called gratuitous gifts of goods in exchange for gratuitous donation of money. Who do the church officials want to deceive - ourselves, us, the sky? Well, isn't it funny? Who would talk about other people's sins! Or maybe the Russian Orthodox Church brought repentance? Is it appropriate to expose sins as a sinner?
And the Patriarch himself is far from the righteous. What are only stories with nanopyl and “endangered” wristwells! And the illegal embezzle of state budget funds? Patriarch Kirill protects the FSO for the money of taxpayers, and for some reason he himself drives in a car with a milek, although he is not supposed to be an rank or by the state.
And, by the way, about regular and freelance work. In 2003, Priest George Edelstein sent a letter to President Putin, who accused some hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Metropolitan Kirill, in the work of the KGB. (I found to whom to write!) Then the press was full of materials that Gundyaev had an operational pseudonym Mikhailov and under this pseudonym he appeared in the KGB reports on foreign business trips. Vladimir Gundyaev did not refute the accusations of Edelstein, claiming that they cannot be refuted in principle. So, non -traditional sexual relations are a sin, and cooperation with the KGB - so, children's pranks.
But the point is not so much in the personality of the accuser as in the very idea of sin. Probably the main meaning of Christian teaching is in the sermon of love and forgiveness. None of this is neither in the position of the Russian Orthodox Church, nor in the denunciations of Patriarch Kirill. Moreover, he exposes the love of one person for another only because these people belong to one floor. Is love not higher than gender differences? And is love, albeit same -sex, not a feeling more Christian than the hatred that the Orthodox Church sows towards gays? A simple question: what would Christ have approved in this situation - love or hatred?
There are no sinless ones among us - neither in the world nor in the church; Neither in the Synod, nor in the Senate. But this does not mean that we cannot talk about sins and virtues, about the true paths and false. Not only we can, but also should. However, one who has already noticeably bent under the weight of his sins, but the arrogantly continues to teach others, looks quite stupid at such moments.