In the blog of the Russian Church, this is what we read:
"Archbishop Hilarion condemns ritualism
The RIA provides a summary of the intervention of Bishop Hilarion. patrologist That ale and theologian known to say things that seem self-evident may seem strange. But it reflects the level of awareness of the opinion and shows the extent of missionary work that the Church is called to lead.
A cycle of conferences aimed at young people began in one of the largest auditoriums in Moscow.
Archbishop Hilarion condemns ritualism and addiction in all its forms
Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Relations Patriarchate of Moscow was reached on October 6 before a young audience gathered in the main auditorium of the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow.
He condemned the rituals and various forms of dependence of personality among them belonging to various sects. Faith in the ritual is widespread, "he said. This is a set of gestures and formulas it suffices to observe to be considered as belonging to a particular religion. The port or refusal of a scarf, wearing jeans for women, how to sign, everything is permitted and everything is not, what is forbidden ... It does not reflect the real issues that much more rarely. Unfortunately orthodoxy has become for many of our citizens simply traditions in their daily lives. A child is born "to christen the" buying a house or a car: "Let us bless the better to keep" marriage "to celebrate the church."
70 to 80% of our residents call themselves Orthodox. However, very few of them know what faith and live in accordance with orthodoxy. Young people find no meaning in life. They engage in a frantic and futile happiness. This is what causes all kinds of addictions: alcohol, drugs, gambling.
This lack of rationale that drives young people into different sects. Because the cult promise happiness and often manage to create illusions of well being. The Church helps assume its freedom, they can make informed decisions. It is much harder to live in Church of complying with the rules of a sect. But outside the Church no salvation. The Church is for strong minds, for those who are capable of being responsible for themselves and for their children. God is omnipotent. So the question of whether a particular group of people attain salvation makes no sense. It is a question that may arise in oneself or in respect of his intimates to help them find the path to salvation.
conference given by Bishop Hilarion was the beginning of a course of eight months for young people and to all those who wish to attend. Speakers include various officials of the Moscow Patriarchate. "
But what is the" ritual "?
Olivier Clement wrote as follows in Clio in 2002:
"At the risk of modernity
After three quarters of a century of totalitarian crushing, the Orthodox Church is struggling to recover. Beyond the merger or sometimes messianic the crash, it's hard to specify what would be an open relationship with the state, it is also difficult to overcome religious nationalism, though condemned by the Council of Constantinople in 1872. In his dream of being inclusive It's hard to accept modernity and dialogue with other Christians and other religions, with the risk of being imprisoned and in ritualism. It's a kind of patristic age golden age that should only repeat the wording. It is difficult to envisage lucidly its own problems, the most serious is probably the appointment of bishops and religious nationalism. Yet it holds many treasures of holiness and beauty, she has given the twentieth century martyrs by thousands. He must know the heart. "
This idea of ritualism became nowadays a kind of reference to" fill in "a spiritual emptiness, a kind of" safe haven "against the confusion demonstrated by our contemporaries.
In other places I was talking about the danger of Philodox against the orthodoxy of up to replace it. The passion of the rite, supplants the love and Gospel can be reached quickly fundamentalism or New Age nonsense.
What do you think? Father Leonid
