A Lesson for the Modern Church from the Depths of Centuries

Icon of Saint Leontius of Rostov. Photo: Wikipedia

On June 5, the Church celebrated the feast day of Leontius of Rostov, one of the first inhabitants of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, who labored alongside Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. Nearly a thousand years have passed since Leontius's lifetime, but history is so cyclical that the realities of his time become relevant today as well.

When Bishop Leontius was appointed to the Rostov see in the mid-11th century, it was an almost entirely pagan territory. The hierarch's preaching aroused only anger and irritation among the local nobility, and they expelled him from the city. But Leontius did not leave: he settled nearby, built a small church and continued to evangelize. His meekness and love first won over the children, and through them – their parents; they came to the church and received baptism.

The successes of his preaching enraged the pagans of Rostov, and they plotted to deal with the bishop. It is known that an armed mob approached the very church. The deacons and priests begged the bishop to change clothes and hide, but he chose a different path: he put on his episcopal vestments and, together with the clergy, went out to meet the attackers. This fearlessness so struck the pagans that many of them immediately believed and received baptism – and from that day the Church in Rostov began to grow.
What makes this ancient story so interesting to us today?

The fact that Leontius completely lacked the desire to be «one of their own» for the local authorities and those of other faiths. He could have shown, as they would say today, «tolerance» from the very beginning, held common prayer services with the pagans and not «impose» his teaching. He could have said that the strength and unity of the people of Rostov lay in diversity.

Today we almost always rely on ourselves, on «princes,» on acquaintances, etc., taking as our life guidance the proverb «Trust in God, but don't be negligent yourself.» But with such a calculating attitude toward realities, we do not give God the opportunity to act. This is our main trouble. Worldly prudence pushes hope in God to the periphery. And we are left only with the logic of this world: whoever is smarter, stronger, faster wins. Sometimes, in order not to lose the loyalty of the powerful of this world, Christians use worldly calculation instead of trust in God.

The authorities of many countries, despite their formal adherence to Christianity, behave like ancient pagans. They demand that Christians remain silent about certain «inappropriate» words of Scripture – such as love for enemies or the impossibility of taking up arms. And they treat those who continue to speak as they treated Leontius – they persecute them. But even worse is that some church authorities act the same way.

Today the UOC is free – it is held neither by the favor of princes nor by fear of losing it. It is persecuted, as Saint Leontius was once persecuted. But he, choosing between comfortable conformity and following the Gospel, chose the latter – and Christ did not abandon him.

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