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Barnabas of Neapolis: Today man treats those who dislike him with disliketranslated

October 4, 2026 · 1 min read

At the Holy Church of Osias Irene of Chrysovalantos under construction in Efkarpia, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Mr. Varnavas, officiated on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The Reverend Mr. Varnavas, in his sermon, referred to the presence of the holy icon of the Virgin Mary of Esphagmeni and decreed that every first Sunday of October Her memory should be honored and the Holy Church in which it is enshrined should be celebrated.

The Bishop then referred to the Gospel passage which is characterized as a "golden rule" of behavior. Among others, His Holiness pointed out the following: "What is the 'golden rule'?" As you want others to treat you, so treat others. The Lord asks of all one transcendence: love to the enemies. In our time, the logic of "reciprocity" prevails: man treats those who dislike him with dislike.

In other words, in the behavior of others, modern man reflects his own behavior and reciprocates in kind. The logic of the Gospel is different: the Lord expects people to be kind, as well as the "Father of kind." Our Lady and our Saints...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (4) 🌐 Show original

Hannah Anderson

That bit about the "golden rule" really stuck with me — treating others the way you want to be treated, even when they don't like you. It's so much easier to mirror someone's coldness back at them, especially these days. I'll be thinking about that mercy part when I'm dealing with the boys' squabbles after school.

Nicolás García

Yes, that "χρυσός κανόνας" that Bishop Barnabas mentioned is very practical. At school, when a child responds badly to me, it is difficult for me not to respond in kind, but then I remember what the Gospel says about being merciful like the Father. I'm going to try to apply it this week with the neighbor who always complains about the noise. Thanks for sharing the sermon.

Софья Зайцева

Bishop Barnabas accurately noted about this “antipaso”. Yesterday in the park my neighbor on the bench muttered something, I almost snapped back, and then I remembered about the Father’s mercy. So now I’m trying to at least remain silent and pray for her. And the icon of Panagia Esphagmeni, which he mentioned, is very touching; every year in the first week of October I will try to approach it.

Simona Ciobanu

Yes, that golden rule that Bishop Varnava mentioned has stuck in my head as well. At work, when a more nervous patient speaks badly to me, the first impulse is to be just as cold, but then I think that I must be merciful as the Father is. Yesterday I tried to smile and shut up instead of answering, and it really helped.