An Orthodox Christian sermon on voting

[fisharmor]

We'll see if it starts at 19:57 - if not, that is where the sermon starts.



This is actually my brother in law and before he was that he was one of my best friends going back to 1990. So, there's probably an increased appreciation for liberty being reflected here. (That's been pretty common in Orthodox clergy in my experience... my priest attends the RPI meeting in Chantilly every year.)

But that's not really the point here. There are a couple really good points being made, but it probably helps to understand that Orthodoxy is not an American religion, at least not the way so many protestant denominations are. The unspoken assumption going into this is that Orthodoxy has survived communism, Muslim rule, the death of empires, iconoclasm, and even the Roman persecutions... so the view on this election is a bit different.

However there's nothing unBibilcal in this sermon and it's worth a listen.


(ETA - there is one way Orthodoxy is becoming an American religion, but in the best way. There are a lot of majority convert parishes cropping up, and they're turning into true melting pots.)

 

[wizardwatson]

ChatGPT summary of youtube transcript:

Here are the main points of the sermon from the Orthodox priest:

• Division and Anxiety in Society: The priest observes that the nation is highly divided, with media and politics amplifying division, leading to anxiety, depression, and anger.
• Evil in Division: This division is seen as a tool of the evil one, who uses societal rifts to create disunity among friends and families.
• Lessons from Church History: St. Basil’s efforts to keep the Church united during the Arian controversy exemplify the importance of unity in challenging times, even amidst doctrinal disputes.
• Rejecting the Fear Narrative: Society’s constant messaging of fear and doom (e.g., around elections) leads people to feel hopeless, as if everything is at stake. The priest encourages focusing on God's narrative rather than societal fear.
• Faith over Despair: The story of Jairus and his daughter shows the importance of trusting Christ over despair, emphasizing that with Christ, death is not the final word.
• God's Perspective vs. Worldly Reality: While the world grounds its views in "reality," the priest suggests that true reality is defined by God, using Christ’s perspective on Jairus's daughter ("merely sleeping") as an example.
• Faith and Healing: The woman healed by touching Jesus shows that when all earthly solutions fail, faith in God brings true healing. We, too, are called to seek closeness with God for healing and guidance.
• Rejecting the World’s Narrative: The narrative of death and hopelessness in the world should be replaced with Christ's message of life, focusing on God’s blessings rather than worldly despair.
• Seeking God’s Blessings and Serving Others: By actively looking for God’s blessings and opportunities to serve others, we become vessels of God’s love and grace.
• Acting as Christ's Hands in the World: Like "helpers" in disasters, Christians should act as God’s hands, serving and preaching through actions. Faith should reflect hope and a life beyond fear, grounded in Christ's resurrection.
• Holy Communion as Intimate Contact with God: The Eucharist is the ultimate contact with God, bringing His grace into us, making us holy, and enabling us to bring His love into the world.
• Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Despite appearances, God is in control. What may look like death or despair is only temporary, as God sees His creation as sleeping, waiting to be awakened in His timing.

From timestamp 20:00 to 30:22