What is repentance?

Repentance is a cure, a destroyer of sin; it is a heavenly gift and a miraculous power, which, by the mercy of God, is the power of retribution for

226 ARCHPRIEST VALENTIN MORDASOV, WHAT DO YOU ADVISE, FATHER? 227

The transgression of the law prevails. Here's why

it does not reject the fornicator, it does not drive away the adulterer, it does not abhor the drunkard, it does not abhor

the idolater, despises neither the reproacher nor the

a blasphemer, nor a proud one, but betrays everyone, for repentance is a furnace that completely cleanses sin.

Our present life is a time of repentance.

A great danger awaits us, burdened with sins, if we do not prevent repentance

eternal punishment, let us not precede His face in confession, and let us not extinguish the fire of sin with tears of repentance and tenderness. Great is the fire of sin, but

is extinguished with tears.

What should compel a Christian to fulfill his civic duties?

In a well-ordered society, different estates exist so that the members of society bear each other's burdens, i.e., help each other

each other in achieving external and internal well-being, so that the higher ones would take care of the

peace and security of the lower, and they, in turn, served the higher, to the best of their ability and

their occupation. Therefore, obviously, it is not self-love, not self-interest that should guide

Christian in the fulfillment of civic duties, but the desire for the good of one's neighbor, sincere love for him. The Holy Apostle Paul taught

Christians to obey the civil authorities and

laws (see Romans 13:1-8) and, in accordance with the importance of the leaders of civil society, to render to each of them their due: For there is a lesson, a lesson: (a) there is tribute, tribute: (a) there is fear, fear:

(i) Honor, honor; All these and others like them

The Apostle unites civic duties