FAQ

Question: How is God blasphemed? What does He require, to Whom all honor and power belongs? Who is the giver of every holy thing?

Answer: God says through the prophet: "Woe, for your sake My name is blasphemed in tongues" (Isaiah 52:5). Thus, this threat also applies to those who dishonor the image of God. In the image and likeness of God God created us; every Christian is obliged to keep himself, and to preserve and honor the image of God in himself, and to sanctify him with good works, so that he may say: "Hallowed be Thy name in me, O Lord! Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Do you see how God is glorified by good works? But just as He is glorified by good works, so, on the contrary, He is blasphemed and dishonored by evil deeds. Infidels and pagans, looking at Christians and seeing that they, too, like pagans and infidels, spend their time in gluttony and drunkenness, playing and jumping with harps and tympanums and pipes and faces, then they reason that these are foolish Christians who transgress the law and commandments of Christ, and in blasphemy against Christianity they say: "What Christ has delivered and commanded them, that they also keep, for they cannot transgress the words and commandments of their Teacher." That is, they think that this is precisely the teaching and mystery of Christ. Thus, through this, the name of God is blasphemed because of us. And it is already being fulfilled in us that which is written: Woe, for your sake My name is blasphemed in the tongue. But we, my brethren, having left it to those who will, let us sanctify the name of God by good works. All glory is due to God forever and ever! Amen.

Question: What is the meaning of what the Apostle said: "By transgressing the law of God thou hast been dishonored" (Romans 2:23)?

Answer: If he who takes and reads the royal scriptures has received it with all attentiveness, with honor, fear, and diligence, and honors it, and kisses it, in a word, does what is prescribed to him, then honor is given to the king. And if he rejects and despises that scripture, insults and dishonors the one who brought it, then the insult is done to the king himself. In the same way, those who transgress the precepts of the Great King, that is, His most pure Gospel, dishonor Him who gave the commandment of Christ by their transgression. This is how the Jews should be understood. Having received the Scriptures inscribed with the finger of God, those who brought them they were insulted, beaten, stoned and killed, thus transgressing the law of God, which says: "Innocent and righteous, let thou not be killed" (Exodus 23:7). The Author of life Himself, the Holy and Righteous One, was insulted and stabbed, spat upon His holy, all-pure and terrible face, Whom the heavens, the earth, and the sea tremble, and all that fills them (for which reason the Saviour said to them: "Az... I honour My Father, and ye do not honour Me (John 8:49)), and finally you have killed Him. Have you heard how God is dishonored by the transgression of the law?

Thus, children, even those who call themselves Christians, but live carelessly, dishonor God by transgressing the Gospel, doing things that are contrary to the Lord's Mystery and the commandments of our Saviour Jesus Christ, considering them completely unworthy of attention, turning their ears away from the truth, and turning to fables, as the Apostle foretold, that the time will come when they will not listen to sound teaching (2 Tim. 4:3). And now we see that the word has become a deed. For who listens to the Divine Scriptures? Who hearkens to Christ's commandments? Who is wise and keeps these things? Who will prove that we are not criminals of the law? Many are wise according to the flesh; many are noble; many are knowledgeable: scribes, lawyers, kings and princes, rich and poor, slaves and freemen, teachers and monastics, virgins, and those who live in virginity without vows. Who among them can confirm or prove that a Christian should play the harp, or dance, or jump, or whistle, or make noise, or tell fortunes, or make and carry so-called storehouses (bags for donations), or question demons, or get drunk, and the like? Who can prove that this is characteristic of Christians? What Gospel, what book of the Apostles, what prophet? Behold, the Divine Scriptures, the law, the prophets, the apostles, and the Lord of all are read in the Church to the ends of the world, but nowhere will you find that Christians do this decently (conscientiously). On the contrary, every one has gone astray and deviated in his way, and has become a transgressor of the law, and dishonors God by transgressing the law and what is prescribed by the law, the prophets and apostles. Behold, you have heard how God is dishonored. So, Christian, stop transgressing the law and dishonoring God. Cease at last to imitate the pagans, lest, when you depart there (to the other world), you will not encounter great need, distress, and dishonor. Do you want to hear how Vladyka commanded Christians to "rejoice" and "jump"? Listen: Blessed are those who mourn... blessed are they that hunger and thirst (Matt. 5:4, 6). This is the first feast day for a Christian. And again: Strive to enter through the strait gate (Luke 13:24); and again: Amen, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and weep, and the world shall rejoice: but ye shall be sorrowful" (John 16:20). And again he says: do not be lifted up. For all these the tongues of this world seek (Luke 19:29-30). Therefore, do not be like them.

Do you want to hear about the "reclining" and "galloping" of the Prophet David? Listen to what he says: weeping and lamenting (Psalm 34:14); cover my soul with fasting... and put on my sackcloth (Psalm 68:11-12); my tears were my bread day and night (Psalm 41:4); ashes as bread, and my drink is mingled with weeping (Psalm 101:10). And again He says, "I will wash my bed every night, I will wet my bed with my tears" (Psalm 6:7). And again: "My eyes are lifted up to the Lord" (Psalm 24:15); and again: "From every evil way I have forbidden my feet" (Psalm 118:101). Did you hear how David "rejoiced"? So rejoice you, Christian.

Do you want to hear about the "festivities", "rest", "amusements" and "what" of Blessed Paul? Let us listen, brethren, to what Blessed Paul advises. Listen to how he persuades and implores, saying: "Be ye imitators of me, brethren" (1 Cor. 11:1). What did Paul do, in which we must imitate him, in order to be worthy of one part with him? For I hear many say: "I obey the Apostle, and as he taught, so I do." See what you say—don't lie, don't change your word! If you stand firm in the truth, you will be blessed both in the present and in the next age. But I suspect and fear lest thou be found a liar: for thou hast diminished the truth from the sons of men (Psalm 11:2). "All have strayed" (Psalm 13:3). However, Blessed Paul convinces, saying: Be ye imitators of me. Imitate Paul, Christian. Whoever says: "I accept and do all that the Apostle says," whoever wants to become an imitator of Paul, does not rejoice, does not rejoice, does not amuse himself on earth. Be imitators of me, brethren. Did Paul rejoice? Did he play the psaltery? Did he sing demonic songs? Let it not be so!

Whence then did the rejoicing of those who assert that they observe the teaching of the Apostle come from? Who taught Christians this? Neither Paul, nor Peter, nor John, nor any other of the God-bearing ones taught this. But the ancient serpent, the enemy of true Christians, the teacher of all uncleanness, taught us. He who taught him to commit fornication taught him to dance, and he who taught him to serve idols taught him to play. That is why the Apostle called those who play idolaters, saying: "Neither be idolaters, as they are of them, as it is written: Gray men eat and drink, and rise up to play" (1 Cor. 10:7). Listen, those who play, or rather, serve as playmakers! The Apostle has put you on a par with idolaters! Be ashamed, at last, and cease to give yourselves over to this pagan and godless possession. Paul did not teach this, nor did our mother, the Church. And you who want to be imitators of the holy apostles, leave this idolatry. Do not be deceived, brethren, this is not the work of Christ's disciples, not the work of Christians, not the work of God-godly people, not the work of those who wish to be saved and inherit eternal life. On the contrary, all this is done by the pagans, who have no hope of salvation, by those who do not have before their eyes the life to come and the fear of God. Paul cries out: "Neither be idolaters, as some of them are." Who is it? Obviously, the Jews. How did they become idolaters, tell us, Paul? Gray-haired people eat and drink, and get up to play. Is this enough, or is there something else to be added? But even this is enough for those who want to hear. Paul's imitators will believe Paul; the imitators of Christ will undoubtedly listen to Him, as the Theologian says: we are of God; he who knows God will listen to us, but he who is not of God will not listen to us (1 John 4:6).

Come at last, imitators of Paul and imitators of Christ, let us listen to what Paul cries. He implores, saying: "Be ye imitators of me, brethren, as I am of Christ." Tell me, then, blessed Paul, how can anyone become your imitator? Offer for Wednesday (for us) your holy teaching, tell us your deeds, describe your "amusement", your rest, your sayings (sermon), so that we may hear and imitate you, for we all know that you are blessed and will reign with Christ forever. Tell us, how hast thou struggled and been vouchsafed this glory? Tell us, Paul, that we also may imitate you, and be vouchsafed eternal blessings with you. If thou hast rejoiced, we shall rejoice; if you wept, we will weep; If you have fasted, we will also fast. Tell us what you have done in faith, and we will do all this. Tell us, Paul, how a Christian should live, so that those who do not listen to you will be ashamed, and those who believe in what you have said will be strengthened. Paul answers and says: "I am obedient to the Lord, wherefore ye shall not walk, as the rest of the tongues walk in the vanity of their minds, darkened in meaning, being alienated from the life of God" (Ephesians 4:17-18). Putting aside lies, speak the truth... let not the sun go down in your anger. Give place to the devil below. Stealing, let him not steal... Let not every rotten word proceed out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:25-29). Where are those who sing demonic songs and claim to imitate Paul? Listen to Paul crying out: Let not any rotten word proceed out of your mouth: but there is good for creation... Let all sorrow, and wrath, and wrath, and crying, and blasphemy, be taken away from you, with all malice (Ephesians 4:29, 31). Having said the most important thing: Be imitators of me, — say something else: Be ye for... as a beloved child of God (Ephesians 5:1). Hear and tremble those who wish to be Christians, and forsake pagan deeds — for be imitators of God. Paul also cries: "But fornication, and all uncleanness and covetousness, let it be called among you... And foul language, and swearing, or blasphemy (Ephesians 5:3-4). And do not be drunk with wine, for there is fornication in it (Ephesians 5:18). Be imitators of me. Admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, intercede for the weak, be patient with all (1 Thess. 5:14). Be imitators of me. Take heed, lest any man repay evil for evil: but always persecute what is good (1 Thess. 5:15). Be imitators of me. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:16). Let us reject wickedness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:12). Be imitators of me, brethren. Holding fast to the love of strangers (Romans 12:13). Brotherly love for one another... Rejoicing in hope, enduring sorrows, abiding in prayer (Romans 12:10, 12). Imitators, be my model. Be imitators of Blessed Paul, that you also may reign with Christ for endless ages.

Where are those who say about themselves, "We do whatever Paul says"? And who (then) will be more blessed than you, if you stand in the truth, brother? But take heed that you do not turn out to be a liar by speaking and not doing, for Paul also exhorts you: Be ye imitators of me. In all things he imagined to be God's servants, in much patience, in sorrows, in troubles, in straits, in wounds, in prisons, in labors... in vigils... in the fasting... in longsuffering, in goodness, in the Holy Spirit, in love without hypocrisy, in the word of truth, in the power of God (2 Corinthians 6:4-7). Be imitators of me, brethren. Who is courageous enough to imitate Paul and become a vessel of election? And so, Christian, if you want to imitate Peter, Paul, and John, keep their words, guard their teaching, imitate their feats, do not love the world and the things in the world, do not rejoice in this age, do not sleep much, do not spend time in laughter. Imitate Paul, I repeat again and again. Study, Christian, how Paul "rejoiced," how he "rejoiced," how he "rejoiced" and "celebrated" and "rejoiced" in this world.

Imitate not only in word, but also in deed. Tell us, St. Paul (for I will not cease to beseech you, blessed one), tell us how you have "rejoiced" and "amused" in this world? — Paul answers: "For three years, night and day, I have not ceased to teach with tears the one whom you have" (Acts 20:31), "This is my triumph: In labors you multiply, in wounds you are sick, in prisons you are abundant, in deaths you are many. From the Jews there are five times fourty unless they receive one. With three clubs of beatings, with one stone was struck, three times the ship was overturned with me: night and day in the depths of the world. In the traveling processions in multiplicity: troubles in the rivers, troubles from robbers, troubles from relatives, troubles from tongues, troubles in the desert... in the sea... In labor and asceticism, in vigils multiplied... in winter and nakedness (2 Cor. 11:23-27). Such are Paul's "jumps" and "processions." Be imitators of me, brethren, as I am of Christ. Silver or gold or garments are not a single desire. All things have been told to you (Acts 20:33, 35). Be imitators of me, and I am ready not only to be bound, but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. To the deliberate flow, to the honor of the highest calling of God (Phil. 3:14). Thus I flow, not as unknown: so I struggle, not as the air beats. But I mortify my body and enslave it (Cor. 9:26-27). And everyone who strives will abstain from all (1 Cor. 9:25). Thus come, brethren, that ye may comprehend (1 Cor. 9:24). Imitate the saints, and thus take the crown with them, and reign with them.

Therefore, Christian, refrain from pagan and Greek deeds, lest by transgression of the law you dishonor God, and bring dishonor upon yourself, and gather up for yourselves wrath in the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, in which God judges in secret by man, according to my gospel (Rom. 2:5, 16), when the angels also will stand before with trembling, when we will be punished not only for our deeds, but also for an idle word.

Let us think to ourselves, brethren, that man shall blossom like grass his days, like the flower of the country" (Psalm 102:15). One moment of time, and everything stopped. Why do you fuss in vain, man? One fit of fever shall cease thy playing, and leaping, and one hour shall separate thee from the rejoicing, and one night shall wither thy flesh, and thy feet shall faint, and thy eyes shall be darkened, thy tongue shall be silent, thy disorderly voice shall be lacking, thy lamentations shall be multiplied, thy tears shall flow, and no one shall be able to help thee, but all shall leave thee, and shall go on their own, and no one shall stand beside thee; except for the invisible demons whom you served. The terrible Angel, standing afar off, will wait for the Lord's beckoning, so that, having stolen thy wretched soul, he may carry it to the place prepared for it, so that it may reap what has been sown for it where weeping, and lamentation, and weeping, and sighing, and sorrow, and distress, and gnashing of teeth, and grief, are cultivated in abundance and abound. There the eyes of those who are drunk will be darkened, there the hands of those who dance will be withered, there those who drink wine with harps and pipes will be tormented and groaning. There will weep and gnash their teeth fornicators and adulterers, thieves, soothsayers, poisoners, wise men, sorcerers, compilers of magical inscriptions, and all who have walked the broad and broad path. Woe to them! for it is impossible to leap and rejoice both here and there, as the Lord says: "Woe to you who laugh now, for ye shall weep" (Luke 6:25), but evidently they will weep there. It is impossible, brethren, to be either a Christian or a pagan. For no one can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24).