Greek abbot on persecution of UOC: Christ will take it into his hands

Igumen Dosifei. Photo: EOD

The Greek service of the UOJ spoke with Abbot Dositheos, head of the Holy Protection Monastery of the Metropolis of Sidirokastro of the Church of Greece. In the conversation, the elder shared his view on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and on how Orthodox Christians should understand persecution for their faith.

Responding to a question about the repressive actions of the Ukrainian authorities against the UOC, Abbot Dositheos stressed that a Christian’s first response must be prayer.

“Prayer must come first. And Christ will never abandon His Church – it belongs to Him. Those who remain steadfast in faith will see Christ Himself take the situation into His hands. The main thing is repentance and a return to our roots. Christ Himself will take everything into His hands,” he said.

According to the abbot, the Lord Himself will cleanse His Church of trials and attacks if the faithful preserve their faith and do not fall into despair. “Hold fast to Orthodoxy, and you will see what will happen. All other powers will vanish, like a cloud scattered by a gentle breeze. Christ will not abandon His Church. He will purify it – here, there, and throughout the world,” the elder added.

Abbot Dositheos also reminded that the sins of individual clerics cannot serve as grounds for accusations against the Church itself. “The Church does not sin because there are some impious priests or bishops. Do not forget that even among the twelve apostles, one was evil. But that did not mean Christ sinned. Likewise, the Church is Christ, His saints, apostles, and martyrs,” he noted.

Dositheos emphasized that accusations against the Church have always existed and always will, but believers must distinguish between the sins of individuals and the holiness of the Church itself. “One cannot say, ‘The Church has sinned.’ No – it is people who have sinned. Those who act with cruelty and do not repent will go the same way as Judas,” the abbot concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Abbot Dositheos stated that LGBT propaganda contributes to spiritual degradation.

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