21. Заметки о миссионерстве

“We must desire... to promote the spread of Orthodox Christianity” (24:218) “In missionary activity and assistance to it,” Saint Philaret testifies, “we are meager in comparison with other Christian faiths and peoples. True, we are less rich, but with greater zeal the means would have been found, and the Lord would have multiplied them” (9:244). Unfortunately, there was not enough jealousy. The saint reports that the Holy Synod demanded missionaries from the Moscow diocese. So what? - “There was no one willing; and no one presented himself who could be persuaded to do this. Our Abel came to mind. He did not refuse to travel to Georgia for less important reasons. He is jealous of the book to instruct monks, who are not deprived of instruction from the paternal writings. Isn’t it good, and wouldn’t it be better for him, to be zealous to proclaim the word of salvation to those to whom it has not yet been preached? What do you think about this? The matter does not require the knowledge of many, but diligence and steadfastness” (9:15). True, health is also required - “and ill health is a fair reason for refusing missionary service, but health is not a sufficient reason for being elected to it. The Lord is strong” (9:17). The saint notes that the path of a missionary is not easy, but the reward from the Lord is high, and it is our duty to support a good deed: “The path of a missionary is never easy. If he strengthens himself, he will receive reward from above. If the obstacles are insurmountable, he can tell his superiors. It is indecent for strangers to drag him back. And if someone outside, interfering in someone else’s business, distracted the missionary from his exploits, not knowing whether this was exactly necessary, and deprived those to whom he preached of benefit - what would it be, a benefit or a sin? (3:18). The wise Hierarch gives advice to the Altai missionary Archimandrite Macarius (Glukharev), which is to look at the mission undertaking “with the eye of caution. This age is evil; does not willingly believe in pure goodness; cases of criticism and slander are greedily caught; the sting of ridicule, even unfounded, sometimes stings, not without harming the success of good enterprises” (19–1:130). In connection with the sale of Russian possessions in America, the holy Hierarch expresses concern about the fate of the Apostolic works of the Right Reverend Innocent (Veniaminov). This concern simultaneously shows the attitude of the Russian Orthodox hierarchy to this act of the rulers of the state. – “What will happen to the apostolic works of the Right Reverend Innocent in America? A bitter question! But what could the guards of Israel do about this? They have no voice in the State Administration. Today I read in the reports that this matter began a long time ago, but hardly any of the guards of Israel heard about it. Not long ago we heard that Russian possessions in America were being sold - it was difficult to accept this as probable. Suddenly they started saying that the matter was over—can church guards change the state definition?” (4:660–661). You might be interested in: