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Obedience is done freely, intelligently and with reasoningtranslated

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

Obedience is one of the foundations of a Christian’s spiritual life. But it can be difficult for a modern person to understand this virtue, and even more difficult to assimilate it. What does obedience consist of? Who should you obey in the Church and in ordinary life situations? We asked Metropolitan Longin of Simbirsk and Novospassky to answer questions about the virtue of obedience.

— Vladyka, here is a person beginning a Christian, church life. How important is it for him to learn obedience? And who should he listen to?

— When a person comes to the Church, he must accustom himself first of all to obey God. He must learn throughout his life to recognize God’s will for himself and to be obedient to it. Accept with humility everything that the Lord sends in life, deeply believing that God Himself knows what is needed for our salvation; that not only the good, the good, but also all the trials, temptations, sorrows that a person encounters on his life’s path are also the action of God’s Providence and lead him to salvation.

In order to learn obedience to God, you need to learn obedience to people. After all, love for God is impossible without love for people; this is a twofold commandment: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength...

Source: Site: Симбирская епархия · Read the full story →

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Bogdan Barbu

Yes, it starts with listening to God, but as the Metropolitan says, this is practically learned by listening to people. It worked well for me when I started listening to our priest at confession without commenting on everything, even if it seemed difficult at first. And at home, with my wife and child, I see that it goes more smoothly when I'm not in a hurry to do only what I want.

Χριστίνα Θεοδώρου

Yes, I agree with the metropolitan. You start by listening to God, but in practice you learn it by listening to people – as Bogdan says, when I stopped commenting everything on my spiritual, my life changed a lot. At home with my parents I see it every day, especially when my mom tells me something about school and I don't talk about it right away.

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Christina, what you say about the spiritual and your parents is very practical. I see the same thing on the bus: when I don't complain about the route the boss gives me but take it as it is, then the day goes more smoothly. How do you manage not to answer your mom right away?

Petru Constantinescu

Yes, Bogdan, you are right, listening to the priest during confession without commenting on everything changes a lot. I learned this later, after arguing with my wife in vain about some garden trifles. Now, when I catch a bigger fish while fishing, I see it as something sent, not just my luck. What concrete advice did your priest give you the first time?