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St. Silouan the Athonite on how to speak to non-Orthodox:
A certain Archimandrite who was engaged in missionary work thought highly of the Staretz & many times went to see him during visits to the Holy Mountain. The Staretz asked him what sort of sermons he preached to people
A certain Archimandrite who was engaged in missionary work thought highly of the Staretz & many times went to see him during visits to the Holy Mountain. The Staretz asked him what sort of sermons he preached to people
The Archimandrite, who was still young and inexperienced, gesticulated with his hands and swayed his whole body, and replied excitedly, “I tell them, ‘Your faith is all wrong, perverted. There is nothing right, and if you don’t repent, there will be no salvation for you.’”
The Staretz heard him out, then asked, “But please tell me, holy archimandrite, do they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – that He is the true God?”
“Yes, they do believe that.”
“And do they honor the Holy Mother?”
“They honor her, but they teach erroneous things about her.”
“Yes, they do believe that.”
“And do they honor the Holy Mother?”
“They honor her, but they teach erroneous things about her.”
“And what about the saints – do they acknowledge their existence?”
“Yes, they do, but ever since they have severed themselves from the Church, what kind of saints could they have?”
“Yes, they do, but ever since they have severed themselves from the Church, what kind of saints could they have?”
“Do they perform services in Churches? Do they read the word of God?”
“Yes, and they also have temples and services, but if you could only see how inferior their services are to ours – how cold, how soul-less they are!”
“Yes, and they also have temples and services, but if you could only see how inferior their services are to ours – how cold, how soul-less they are!”
“Holy archimandrite, their souls obviously feel that they are acting correctly in believing in Christ, in honoring the Holy Mother and the saints – whom they invoke in their prayers. That is why, when you tell them that their faith is illegitimate, they will not listen to you…
But if you told the people that they are right in believing in God, that they are right in honoring the Holy Mother and the saints, and in going to church for services and praying at home, that they are right in reading the Word of God and all the rest,
except that here and there they have a few incorrect theories which should be corrected, then everything will be just fine and pleasing to God, and by the Grace of God, everyone will be saved.
“God is Love”, and that is why a sermon needs to always spring from love. Only then will the preacher and the listener both benefit. But if you censure them, then the souls of the people will not listen to you and no benefit will be achieved.”
