Photo: holycross.org
Dear brothers and sister!
Christ is Risen!
By God’s mercy we have reached the third week of the Paschal celebration, which the Church in its most wise way has dedicated to the memory of the Myrrh Bearing Women.
The Myrrh Bearing Women and apostles are as if two paths of faith. The decisive and fiery Peter, ready to follow the Savior even to death, until the moment he was enlightened by the Holy Spirit nevertheless turned out to be not so courageous and strong in the faith when real danger to his life arose. And the other disciples, fearing their own people, in fear left the Lord at the most critical moment.
But the quiet and meek women, who accompanied Christ in His earthly travels, stood silently by the Cross and were crucified in their hearts together with the Lord Jesus. They never strove to prove anything to anyone, nor did they demand the honor for themselves of sitting at the right or left hand of the Savior in His Kingdom. They simply served Christ, with meekness, patience, and deep humility. And perhaps that is why He vouchsafed them such a great honor: to become apostles to the apostles themselves, bringing the glad tidings to the Savior’s closest disciples.
Today the example of their podvig is especially edifying to us. In recent weeks we have been experiencing a very complicated trial. A dangerous illness has stricken our people. It has already taken no few lives, amongst whom are clergy of our Church. Tens of thousands of people are now suffering in hospitals, and the doctors and nurses are selflessly fighting to save them. Even more people are having to stay home in self-isolation, enduring having only limited contact with their family and friends, and not rarely, even an acute lack of material goods.
My dear ones, I understand very well how hard it is for you all now. I am deeply co-suffering with you. Believe me, you are not alone, the Patriarch is with you. All my thoughts and prayers are for you. Every day I pray to God for mercy, that this difficult trial would pass our people by as quickly as possible, so that we would be reunited in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, praising the Lord with one mouth and one heart.
From the very beginning of this situation, it was clear to me that we have encountered a dangerous and insidious disease. I knew our clergy and elderly parishioners would find themselves in the zone of particular risk. And in recent days we have already lost several respected clergymen and many faithful sons and daughters of the Church. As the primate I have always recognized my responsibility for the clergy and others.
With great sorrow I resolved to address you with a request to temporarily refrain from going to church. Without exaggeration, these were the hardest words for me to pronounce in my whole life. I have never had to say anything like that before. But such is the burden of responsibility—the primate of a Church takes upon himself not only the honor of the patriarchal rank but also all the pain of soul of the episcopate, clergy, and flock. And this pain burdens my heart every time I think about how millions of Orthodox people are thirsting to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ but cannot step through the threshold of their beloved church; when I think about the priests, celebrating the services behind closed doors and deprived today of material support.
But just as faith without love does not bring any benefit to a person, so should Christian compassion also have its visible fruits. That is why I have turned to those people who are wealthy and well disposed to the Church with a humble request to give material support to our clergy. And thanks be to the Lord, my supplications were heard. Of course, perhaps this does not radically change the situation, but each of us today should do whatever is in his power to provide help to his neighbor. I am sincerely grateful to those people who, despite the economies difficulties that our country and the whole world are going through, have manifested an authentic Christian willingness to share their possessions for the sake of their neighbors. May the all-magnanimous Lord reward you for your good deeds.
Regardless of the fact that like many of you I am forced to remain in a closed space, I receive constant testimony about the dramatic things happening in various cities and towns concerning the spread of this menacing pestilence. And I am trying as much as possible to guide the efforts of our volunteers in their truly heroic service. To all the volunteers headed by Bishop Panteleimon, with whom I have daily contact and from whom I receive the necessary information, I express my special thanks, for Christ’s words can be directly applied to you: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me (Matt. 25:35-36).
I would like to express my particular gratitude to the doctors. The medical workers today are on the frontline of the battle with the sickness, and are showing true heroism and faithfulness to their calling. All of this inspires the sincerest admiration.
Despite the complicated situation, we are in all circumstances called to preserve peace of soul, calm, and discernment. We must not be indignant and foment hatred, not engage in endless searches for enemies, and especially, God forbid, curse anyone, no matter who they are, which is in and of itself unthinkable for a Christian. We remember what the Savior said to us: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (Jn. 13:35).
God will not abandon His Church and His faithful servants. I only beg you not to despair, not to despond; I pray for all of you and await your mutual, increased prayers for me as for you Patriarch.
By the mercy of the Risen Christ and His omnipotence we will conquer this onslaught also, for there is nothing impossible for God (cf. Matt. 19:26)—if only we would remain steadfast through these trials and faithful in our hope in the Lord, just as the Myrrh Bearing Women trusted in Him with patience and meekness, and as the secret disciples Joseph and Nicodemus remained with Him. I turn to you with the words of Holy Scripture: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong (1 Cor. 16:13)—and the Lord will preserve us with His grace. Amen.
+Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Translation by Nun Cornelia (Rees)