Persecution of the Church: a norm or an exception?
Why are Christians persecuted if they do not harm anyone?
Today, when the Church is being persecuted in Ukraine, with churches seized, bishops thrown into prison, and believers treated as second-class citizens, it makes sense to reflect on the following: what did Christ call us to?
Did He call Christians to a peaceful life, where we are respected for our piety and devotion? Perhaps to pray in magnificent churches before splendid iconostases? Maybe for the powerful and wealthy of this world to favor our Church, granting it privileges and donating large sums of money? No, the Gospel speaks of something entirely different, yet we so wish it were this way. And if it happens otherwise, we are surprised and outraged that we are opposed, unjustly accused, and our church property is taken away. Sometimes we grumble against God, who allowed this injustice. Why does this happen if we do not harm anyone?
On one hand, in the New Testament, we read that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). On the other hand, it is generally believed that since the time of Emperor Constantine, up until the 20th century, i.e., for over 1500 years, there were no persecutions of the Church in Europe. Christianity in Europe is the dominant religion, and Christian churches not only enjoy freedom but are also very influential institutions in states. Until recently, they have been the most influential non-state structures in Europe.
How can this duality be resolved? Is persecution of the Church a norm or an exception? How did Christians of different eras view this? What should we understand by the very term "persecution"? And is the presence of persecution a criterion of the Church’s authenticity? Let us try to answer these and other related questions. Of course, this will require far more than a single publication. But first, we must determine what exactly Christ and His apostles called us to: prosperity or tribulations.
Prosperity or tribulations?
In the 1990s, religious campaigners on the streets actively enticed people into their ranks with the promise that if you become a believer and start attending their meetings or studying the Bible with them, everything in your life would fall into place: income would increase, career would advance, personal life would settle, health would improve, and so on. To be honest, similar narratives can sometimes be heard even from Orthodox preachers. Yet already in the Old Testament we read the very opposite: "My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for trial" (Sirach 2:1).
Christ says the same thing: "If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Moreover, the Lord says that whoever does not bear the cross is not a Christian at all: "Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27). For the sake of our salvation, the Lord ascended Golgotha. To follow Christ means to walk the same path. There is no other. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it," (Matthew 7:13–14).
Without suffering, it is impossible to attain eternal life: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The necessity of trials and hardships on the path to God is affirmed throughout Sacred Scripture. "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord tests the hearts" (Proverbs 17:3). And this is not a figure of speech or a metaphor, but a reference to real suffering. "Gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation," (Sirach 2:5).
The meaning of trials
Tribulations and trials serve us for our benefit. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2–4). The Apostle Paul writes the same thing: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3–5).
The goal of the Christian’s path
The Apostle Peter says that by enduring sorrows, we follow Christ: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12–13). These words show that Christ humbly bore His cross, was crucified, but also rose again, triumphed, and ascended into heaven. Therefore, the Christian’s path does not end at Golgotha; this path goes through the cross to the resurrection and eternal life.
The idea that a person, having endured trials, will ultimately find God, peace, and eternal bliss is also expressed in the Old Testament: “You have tested us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our loins; You have set men over our heads. We went through fire and water, but You brought us out to freedom” (Psalm 66:10–12).
In the New Testament, this thought runs as a central theme:
Remain faithful to Christ through all trials, and in the end, you will be with God in eternal blessed life.
“Do not fear any of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Where to find strength?
However, there is a condition under which a person can endure these sorrows, not break, and not fall away from God. This is patience and faith in God’s Providence, trust in God who allows us to face tribulations and trials. “Direct your heart aright, and be steadfast, and do not be upset in time of adversity; cling to Him and do not depart, that you may be honored at the end. Whatever happens to you, accept it willingly, and in the changes of your humiliation, be long-suffering” (Sirach 2:2–4).
The Apostle Paul speaks about trust in God, who disciplines us as a loving Father: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he accepts. What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:6–7).
Faith that God leads us along the path of life, and that nothing happens without His knowledge, helps a person endure sorrows and not lose hope: “Trust in Him, and He will help you; direct your ways and hope in Him. You who fear the Lord, wait for His mercy, and do not stray, that you may not fall. You who fear the Lord, trust in Him, and your reward will not perish. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for eternal joy and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who feared Him and was forsaken? Or who called upon Him and He despised him?” (Sirach 2:6–10).
Where can we expect a reward?
At the same time, it should be remembered that the Lord nowhere promises us a reward in this earthly life. It would be more accurate to say – in the realm of worldly goods.
Nowhere does it say that, having endured trials, we will regain our churches, icons, splendid worship services, outward peace, the respect of others, and so on. All the promises have an eschatological perspective; all of them will be fulfilled in the Kingdom of Heaven.
But the point is that this Kingdom already begins here, in our earthly life. “The kingdom of God is not coming with a visible display. People won’t be saying, ‘Look! Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ because now the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:20–21). The Apostle Paul explains how this can be: “For God’s kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
This joy is probably also the measure of whether we suffer for our Christian faith or for some wrongdoing. The Apostle Peter says about this: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:14–16).
Thus, sorrows and trials are a necessary stage on the path to God. External persecutions of the Church are one form of such suffering, and not the most terrible or dangerous.
I would like to conclude this publication with the words of Christ:
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
