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Serron Theologian: "The denial of God prepares the destruction of man"translated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

In the ancient Holy Church of St. Anargyron Chionochori, on the slopes of Mount Menoiki, where there is also the ancient cave hermitage of the 13th AD. century of the first builder of the holy Monastery Tim. Forerunner of Serres, Bishop of Ezevos Ioannikios, officiated today, Sunday, July 5, 2026, Rev. Metropolitan of Serres and Nigrite Mr. Theologos.

His Eminence, inspired by today's Gospel reading of the healing of the demon-possessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the city of Gergesene (Mt. 8:28 - 8:1), addressed a series of speeches to the pious crowd of the Church, noting among others the following:

"Indeed, the ungrateful and unforgiving behavior of the Gergesenes in today's Gospel passage causes wonder and painful surprise. The apostasy from God's will of the inhabitants of that area gave the right to the misanthropic devil to come into their lives. The commission of sin and especially impenitence opens back doors in human existence, so that the opposing demon can enter, as a "roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:8), destroying all that is good and good.

But the Despot Christ gave us strong armor, security in our lives, not to...

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💬 Comments (43) 🌐 Show original

Світлана Коваленко

Such stories about the people of Gerges always make you think. Indeed, when a person turns away from God and does not repent, the door to evil opens by itself. Thank you to Lady Theologian for the simple and honest words, especially about the fact that Christ gives us strong armor.

Васил Стефанов

This about the Gergesians and how unrepentant sin opens the devil's door is very clear to me. Watching people run away from God now, then wonder why everything is falling apart for them. I thank Bishop Theologian for saying it straight, without twisting it.

Nicolae Gheorghiu

Yes, exactly as the Metropolitan Theologian says about the Gherghese people - when man turns away from God and does not repent, the devil enters his home. We have also seen in our village how some people leave the church and after that their lives fall apart. Thank you for this simple and straightforward sermon.

Тетяна Литвин

Yes, those Hergesians who expelled Christ because pigs were more important to them are directly about us. Bishop Theolog said well: sin without repentance opens the door, and Christ gives armor. Here in Kharkiv, I also see how people turn away, and then wonder why everything is falling apart.

Ilia Dhima

When I read about those pigs and how they drove Christ out for fear of losing their wealth, I think how often it happens today. In my village near Berat, I have seen families who leave the church for work or money, then everything falls apart. It's good that Metropolitan Theologian said it bluntly: repentance is the key, without evil entering one's own house.

Sofia Thanasi

Yes, Ilia, I have also seen this in our village near Berat – a boy who ran away to work in Greece, forgot the church and after two years his marriage and health broke down. Metropolitan Theolog said it well: without repentance, evil enters as in his own house. What do you think, can a man turn it back when he sees the damage for himself?

Martin Horváth

Yes, those Gergesians and their pigs will always remind me how easily one puts possessions before Christ. In our village near Svidník, I saw something similar - a neighbor stopped going to church because of his work in Germany, and a year later his family broke up. Metropolitan Theolog said it directly: without repentance, the door of evil will open by itself. What do you think, Sofia, can it be returned?

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ალექსანდრე დოლიძე

Indeed, those Gergesians who were more interested in pigs than Christ remind me a lot of our time. Here in Telavi, it often happens that a person leaves the church because of work or money, and then the family breaks up. The Metropolitan Theologian rightly said – sin opens the door to the evil one through wrongdoing.

Elena Stoica

Yes, exactly as the Metropolitan Theologian says about the Gherghese people - the pigs were dearer to them than Christ and they drove Him away. In our village, near Constanța, a neighbor left the church for a service in Italy, two years later his child got sick and he separated from his wife. It is clear that without repentance the door remains open.

Lukáš Šimko

Katerina Prifti

Yes, Sofia, I know that boy you are talking about, he was Dhimtri's son from our village. When he returned without a word about the church, he seemed to be consumed by the alien life. I think yes, he can turn himself around if he sees the damage with his own eyes, but he should love the remorse, not just be scared. What have you seen in your case?

Zuzana Nováková

Yes, the trade on Saturday is a perfect example of how it starts with a small compromise and ends with an empty bench seat. Repentance really works, I saw it myself with an old woman from our church in Svidník. And what about the neighbor from Germany, did he come back in the end?

Xenia Parker

The Gergesenes chasing Jesus away over their pigs hits close to home. I see the same thing with folks here in Portland skipping church for overtime or weekend hikes, then wondering why everything feels off. Thanks to Metropolitan Theologos for laying it out straight — that armor from Christ only works if we actually put it on.

Emma Parker

I get what you mean about the pigs — those folks chose their livestock over the Lord and paid for it. Here in Pittsburgh it's more like folks trading Sunday liturgy for Steelers tailgates or yard work, then acting surprised when life feels empty. Have you found any little habit that helps you keep that armor on during a busy week?

Yes, Martin, the story with the Gergezins and the pigs is clear - property was closer to them than recovery. I saw something similar here in Košice, when an acquaintance gave priority to Saturday work in a shop and gradually stopped going to Sunday liturgy. It can be restored, but only through sincere repentance, as it says in v That's right, Martin. That neighbor near Svidník, who went to Germany for work and lost his family, reminds me how quickly a person deviates when he stops going to the liturgy. Metropolitan Theolog said it clearly - without repentance, that door will open by itself. Do you think it's enough to start dating again, or do you need something more, like confession with our father in Svidník?

Ana López

In today's sermon about the Gergesenes, what stuck with me the most is that sin without repentance opens the door to the devil like a roaring lion. Here in Buenos Aires I see the same thing: people who leave mass for Sunday work and then everything at home falls apart. Thanks to Monsignor Theologian for saying it so clearly, without hesitation.

Наталія Руденко

I agree, Svitlana, I especially remembered how the bishop mentioned the "roaring lion" - that's right from Peter. It seems to me that in our lives those "Hergesians" sometimes sit inside ourselves when we postpone confession for later. And what do you think is most often the first "open door"?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, Nicolae, I saw the same thing in our neighborhood in Craiova - some give up the church and after that troubles come one after the other, as if a door opens. The Metropolitan Theologian's sermon is good precisely because it is simple and makes you look at your own life. What do you think, is it easier to come back when you see this breakdown in others or do you still have to feel it yourself?

Veronika Nováková

Yes, Martin, the story about the neighbor near Svidník is accurate. Here in Prešov, I saw how one accountant from the company preferred weekend jobs, and two years later his son left to study and stopped going to church at all. It can be returned, but only until the person is completely hardened - ask him if he went to the liturgy at least once a month.

Ion Florea

Yes, Ioana, that's exactly what happened to a neighbor of mine from Chisinau - he left church and fishing on Sundays, and in two years his debts and family problems piled up one after the other. I liked the sermon of Metropolitan Theologos because it does not flourish, but clearly shows the door that we open ourselves. Do you think it's better to talk to that man directly before he goes down, or do you wait for him to see for himself?

Ольга Мельник

Yes, Svetlana, those words about "strong armor" also struck me the most. It seems to me that this armor is primarily regular confession and Communion, without them it is easy to relax. And do you often resort to some specific prayer when you feel that the door has opened a little?

Sotir Nako

Yes, Sofia, I understand well what you say - once in Korça I saw a woman who returned from emigration without any prayers and her family was dismantled within a year. I think that the return comes when a person feels for himself that without God there is no peace, not simply from the fear of harm. Have you ever seen a case where repentance came without a hard blow?

Сергій Лисенко

Yes, Tatyana, those people from Herges really remind many people today - pigs (be it money or convenience) are more important than the Savior. Here in Poltava Oblast, I also see how after a sin without confession, everything in families starts to fall apart, and people are then surprised. And do you often talk to such people about repentance in Kharkiv, or do you just observe more?

Margaret Adams

Yeah, that choice hits hard — the Gergesenes basically told Jesus to leave so they could keep their pigs and their old ways. I see it here too when people blow off liturgy for a long hike or extra baking orders on Sunday. What’s one thing that’s helped you actually wear that armor instead of just knowing it’s there?

Bogdan Radu

Yes, Ion, your neighbor from Chisinau is a clear example of how it happens. I also saw a fellow electrician who left his job on Sunday for "rest" and in three years his car engine and relationship with the boy broke. I would speak directly to that man, but not with rebuke, but by telling him what you saw in the neighbor - sometimes a concrete incident opens the eyes better than any sermon. What do you think, is it worth inviting him fishing and chatting there?

Maria Lungu

Yes, Ion, your neighbor from Chisinau shows exactly how it all starts with a little Sunday change. I, for one, would talk to him now, while there is still time, but simply, like from man to man - to tell him how he helped me to keep the job and the garden in peace. Do you think he would listen if you told him what you saw while fishing?

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ლელა ნოზაძე

Alexander, I completely agree with you about the comparison with the Gergesians. In Telavi, I also see how families change when Sunday market or work becomes more important. It is good that the metropolitan theologian spoke directly about this, perhaps we should remember more often that sin not only affects the individual, but also the whole house.

Grace Clark

Yeah, the pigs over the Lord part really sticks with you. I see it in my own kitchen when I let Sunday prep bleed into liturgy time and then wonder why the day feels hollow. What’s one small thing that’s helped you actually put that armor on instead of just knowing about it?

Lenka Nováková

Yes, Zuzana, that neighbor from Svidník is an exact example of how things go downhill quickly when the liturgy is skipped. It's not enough just to walk again, you also need an honest confession to the father in Svidník and then hold on, because without that the door will easily open again. You tried it with your daughters, did it help them?

Gheorghe Radu

Yes, you are right with that concrete example, Bogdan. The story of the electrician who started jumping on Sundays and his engine broke down and the relationship with his son sounds exactly like what Metropolitan Theologos was saying about how sin and unrepentance open doors. I would also try the fishing option, but first I would ask Ion directly what he thinks about last Sunday's Gospel, maybe he will come into the conversation naturally. Have you ever tried this with someone?

Mateo Romero

Ana, you're right, that verse from Peter always makes me think about how easily disorder creeps in when one lets up. Here in the clinic I see the same thing: families that begin to miss mass due to fatigue and then everything falls apart, as you say. Do you think that Sunday work is what costs them the most nowadays?

Petru Dumitrescu

Yes, Ion is the type who listens if you ask him directly about the Gospel, don't force him. I tried it once with a neighbor who skipped work for football; I told him about the stories about the healing of the demon possessed and he was silent for a while, then he admitted that his engine broke down just after he started work on Sunday. Fishing would be good, but first the gospel, because otherwise it just seems like an invitation to go out. What do you think, Gheorghe, do you think Ion would come to a fishing game on Sunday morning?

Gabriela Popescu

Yes, Maria, you are right about that Ion from Chisinau. And I would tell him directly, like in the kitchen, how the Sunday service kept me from getting rid of the bad grass in the garden. Do you think if we both told him what we did with the weeds when we skipped work, he'd move faster?

Pavol Novák

Yes, exactly, Lenka. That neighbor from Svidník reminds me how quickly things fall apart when liturgy and confession are omitted. My sister tried it with the children - after an honest confession with their father, they really behaved better, but they also had to pay attention to everyday little things, like praying before meals. Have you tried it yourself with your husband?

Florin Matei

Yes, Petru, you are right about Ion - if you ask him directly about the Gospel, without pressuring him, he stops and listens. I saw him at the youth group at church, he came once after a football match and stayed to discuss the stories about demons. Do you think it would be better to first invite him for a walk on Mureș on Saturday evening, to talk casually, and only then to go fishing on Sunday?

Mihai Nistor

Yes, Florin, walking on Mureș on Saturday evening seems like a good idea to me, especially since Ion feels freer when he is not under pressure. I also saw him at chess after work, he quickly gets caught up in discussions about pericopes if you start from a concrete detail, such as those pigs in Gherghesa. Do you think he would come if we called him together?

Daniela Florea

Yes, Florin, the walk on Mureș on Saturday evening sounds good, because Ion relaxes more easily by the water than in a direct discussion. I would add that we should also have some apple pie baked by me, so that we have a concrete reason to sit at the table afterwards. Do you think he'd come with us if you let him know from football?

Radu Nistor

Yes, Daniela, your apple pie is a hard argument to refuse, especially after a walk along the waterfront. I say let's announce Ion this very evening after football, so that he doesn't delay any longer. Do you think we also put a thermos with tea, it gets cold quickly in the evening?

Viorica Stan

Yes, Florin, a walk on Mureș on Saturday evening would be a good start, especially after a football match when Ion is already tired and relaxed. I would suggest that we also bring the fishing rods, because during the Sunday morning fishing it is easier to talk about the pigs in that pericope. Do you think she would accept if you told her that we and my husbands are coming?

Yes, Viorica, the idea with fishing rods is good, because when fishing Ion relaxes and listens without getting angry. I would add that we also get some cheese and fresh bread from the neighborhood bakery, because the conversation goes better with something to eat. Do you think we should announce it ahead of time or surprise him on Saturday night?

Yes, Mihai, fishing rods and cheese with fresh bread sound good, because fishing relaxes the man and talks more leisurely. I say surprise him on Saturday night, otherwise he's preparing and giving us ready-made answers. What do you say, do we go with my car or yours?

Mihaela Tudor

Yes, Radu, the thermos with tea is a good idea, because in the evening in the mountains it cools down quickly after the walk. I also bring some simple biscuits, let's not just stick to pie. I'll call Ion tonight, because I'll stop by after work anyway.

Elena Barbu

Yes, the thermos of tea is a lifesaver, especially after you climb up to that old hermitage on Menikion. I'm bringing some apples from our orchard, let's have something fresh with the biscuits. Ion said he was coming with the small tent, did you catch him on the phone?