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Demetriados Ignatius: Acquaintance with evil and alienation from Christtranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

The danger of man's familiarity with evil is at the center of the new short video message of Metropolitan Demetrias and Almyros Mr. Ignatios who analyzes the Gospel reading of today's Sunday Matthew 5 (5/7) where the meeting of Christ with the demon-possessed of Gergesene is described. His Holiness points out that the demons recognized the divinity of Jesus and asked to enter the pigs, which ended up in the sea. However, the inhabitants, bound by their interests and habit, did not accept Christ to remain in their place.

"Many times people are in danger of becoming familiar with evil and not accepting the presence of Jesus in our lives", emphasizes Metropolitan Mr. Ignatios, raising the question of how similar the modern era is to that reality. At the same time, it reminds us that Christ came to bring peace and love to people and that accepting Him in our lives is a personal choice and responsibility.

The message of Metropolitan Dimitrias and Almyros Mr. Ignatiou in detail: "In the area of Gergeseni, two demoniacs are terrorizing people. They live in the tombs,…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Laura Baker

That part about the locals being too tied to their pigs and their routine really hit me. We get so used to the way things are, even when it's harmful, that we push Christ away without even realizing it. Makes me wonder how often I do the same in my own little habits here in Chicago.

Helen Campbell

That line about the pigs and routine stuck with me too. I catch myself doing the exact same thing with my morning coffee scroll instead of prayer some days. Have you found any small habit that helps you notice when you're getting too comfortable with the "normal" stuff?

Radmila Radovanović

Here in Podgorica, it really touched my heart when the bishop mentioned those people attached to their pigs and their habit. Sometimes I also keep some small things that are not good for me, and when something comes that shakes me, I prefer to go back to the old way rather than let Christ change the order. What do you do when you notice that you are getting used to something that takes you away from Him?

Aleksandar Radovanović

Radmila, you said it very nicely about those pigs and the habit - for me, that is the strongest part of the message. For me, it happens most often with sitting on the phone in the evening until I drop, so my morning prayer goes to waste. When I notice, I try to cut it right away, even if it's a day without it, and I see how my thoughts clear up. And you, what is the most common "little thing" that creeps up on you?

Jelena Popović

For me, it's mostly small lies that pile up - like "just this once I'm going to skip the evening rule". When I notice, I try to confess as soon as possible, because afterwards it is easier for me not to drag it on. And you, Radmila, how exactly do you get out of that habit with small things?

Тимофей Павлов

In Yaroslavl, after this sermon, many people also became hooked on the story with pigs and the habit. For me it’s most often the evening “five more minutes on the phone”, and then the morning rule is already somehow. Now, as soon as I notice it, I try to turn it off and at least read the Lord’s Prayer, so as not to slip further. How about you, does such a sharp “stop” help or do you need something else?

Илья Зайцев

In Yaroslavl we also got hooked on these pigs and the habit, as Timofey wrote. For me, most often it’s “five more minutes on the phone” before bed, and then the morning rule is too much. Now I try to turn it off immediately and at least read the Lord’s Prayer, so as not to get used to such “normal”.

Zoran Živković

For me, it's often those little habits with coffee and the news first thing in the morning - instead of first making the sign of the cross and praying, I grab my phone and I'm already in a rhythm of my own. When I notice, I try to move the coffee at least half an hour later and read something from the Gospel first. Radmila, have you tried to replace one of those little things with something small that draws you to Christ, and see how it goes?

Irene Wilson

That bit about the locals and their pigs really stuck with me too. I catch myself doing the same thing when I skip my afternoon prayer to water the garden first because “it has to get done.” Makes me think twice about what I’m actually clinging to. Have any of you found one small change that helps break that pull?

Ирина Андреева

Yes, Ilya, here in Yaroslavl it’s really like with those pigs - convenient and familiar. It also happens to me that instead of evening prayer I’ll still “scroll the feed”, and in the morning everything will be done through force. Thank you for writing about “Our Father” right away - I’ll try the same, maybe it will help me not to slip away. Is it just your phone or something else?