The following passage is from a message by St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, rebuking his flock for the growing laxity in the church:
Each one was desirous of increasing his estate. Forgetting what believers had either done back in the times of the apostles, or always should do, they devoted themselves to the increase of their property with the insatiable ardor of covetousness. Among the priests, there was no devotion to religion. Among the ministers, there was no sound faith. In their works, there was no mercy. In their manners, there was no discipline. In men, their beards were defaced. In women, their complexion was dyed. Their eyes were falsified from what God's hand had made them. Their hair was stained with falsehood.
They united with unbelievers in the bond of marriage. They would swear not only rashly, but even worse, would swear falsely. A number of bishops, despising their divine responsibility, became agents in secular business. They forsook their chair, deserted their people, wandered about over foreign provinces, and hunted the markets for profitable merchandise. In the meanwhile, brethren were starving in the church. We deserve to suffer for sins of this kind. Indeed, we still have not been converted to the fear of the Lord, so as to patiently and courageously undergo this, our correction and divine test. Immediately at the first words of the threatening foe, the majority of the brethren betrayed their faith. What a thing unheard of! (c. 250, W) 5.438
St. Cyprian spoke these words about his flock 250 years after our Lord's Resurrection. We must all ask ourselves this question. Are we guilty of many of the things mentioned, and are we betrayers of the faith? This question is posed to all jurisdictions, whether Traditional, or World Orthodox. May God's grace shine upon our hearts. May the scales fall from our eyes, so that we may see clearly the things of God.
May our hearts be softened, so that we may have compassion on all, and be humble in the sight of God. May he purify us all and may we truly be converted to the fear of the Lord.
Your fellow struggler in Christ,
Rd. Chrysostomos
