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Interview with Patriarch Kirill. "War is always grief"

21.07.2020

On January 7, 2017, on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the TV channel "Russia 1" shows the traditional Christmas interview with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church answered the questions of the VGTRK political observer, the host of the Vesti program A.O. Kondrashov.

- Your Holiness, thank you for the fact that we are meeting on these holidays. For the past few years, some test after test has simply been falling on Russia. So the past year has brought us a big one: people like you, the pride of our national life, symbols have died. How to answer the question that sounds both at work and at home, I very often hear it: why does God call the best to him? How can we find comfort?

- This question accompanies the entire human history. And whenever we come into contact with grief that really burns our nature - not some superficial, artificial, but real grief that our soul touches - we ask this question.

I am ready to voice some thoughts now, but the first thing I would like to do is to express my deepest condolences again and again to all those who are first of all burned by this suffering, this grief. And the family of our wonderful in Turkey, and the relatives of all those who died in the Tu-154. And if we talk about the ways of God, then the word of God says: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways” (Isa. 55: 8). It is impossible for us to understand what is happening in terms of our logic and our understanding of justice. God leads the human race and each of us in His own way. What is tragedy for us is not tragedy for God, because God is in eternity. He knows what happens to a person after death. But while we are here, while we are in the body, while we are limited by our logic, our attitude to what is grief and what is happiness, we, of course, will never be able to fully answer the question that you are now asking me ...

I think that finding the answer to these questions lies not in the rational plane, but in the spiritual life of a person, when suddenly in prayer he feels relief, when, through the commemoration of the dead, something opens up in front of him that he suddenly begins to feel in his heart and calm down. That is why I always call on people and now I would like to once again, addressing the loved ones of those who died, say: you need to pray especially strongly for the repose of the departed and for the Lord to calm souls. The Church prays for this, many people in our country and abroad are praying, because what happened really became a grief for our people.

- Your Holiness, last year you visited a number of large European states, such as France, England, and met not only with the flock, but also with the leaders of these states. What are your impressions of these meetings? After all, we, on the one hand, seem to have a common Christian principle, but in recent years we have seen a harsh de-Christianization in Europe. Do we have something left to rely on and follow the path of rapprochement, or are we already apart for a long time?

- What remains of the Christian heritage continues to be what can unite us. Nothing else can unite us. What is happening in Europe, after all, did not collapse at the end of the 20th or the beginning of the 21st century - it was ripening in the depths of historical development, which at some point (and we know that this moment is called the Age of Enlightenment in history) began to exclude God from human life and equip human life exclusively on a rational basis. It seemed to many that this is the right way, that God is an outdated concept, and in general, as the agnostics say, it does not concern us, whether He exists or not, let's arrange life exclusively rationally.

Much has been achieved on this path, but historical development that excludes God is not viable. A remarkable example of the collapse of such a historical development, of such an experience in the organization of life is our own post-revolutionary history. We threw out God, we abandoned everything that was holy and ideal for us. Relying on the power of reason, on the strength of the organization, on the strength of the party, on the strength of the army, on the strength of everything that was in our hands, we have not been able to build a just and prosperous society, which we wanted to build based on this rationalism.

The same is happening now in the West. We are faced with the collapse of our atheistic idea at the end of the 20th century, and I think that now there is a critical reassessment of rationalism in Western Europe. Of course, the establishment, political elites associated with big business, the media, and the education system are working as usual and trying to reproduce these phantoms. But the soul of the people, the human conscience, the real experience of life tells people that this is the wrong way, and if we say that today all of Europe is de-Christianized, we will say something very wrong.

- Probably, this power is de-Christianized ...

- Elites, authorities, those who wish to control social processes are powerful forces associated with finances, the media, and the political establishment. And the life of the people is still different from what appears, as it were, in the window of the Western world. Therefore, I am deeply convinced that if, as you said, the remnants of the Christian heritage are preserved, then they can become a common value basis for the rapprochement of the East and West of Europe. There simply cannot be any other basis, by definition.

- But how close can we be brought together by some common troubles, like at the fair in Berlin, the dastardly murder of our ambassador in Ankara?

- Maybe, but this rapprochement will never be organic. Let me give you an example. The war and the fight against fascism brought the Soviet Union closer to the Western coalition. The last volleys of the Second World War had not yet died down, and Truman began to hatch plans for the nuclear destruction of the Soviet Union. What is it? After all, we shed blood together. Meeting on the Elbe - after all, it was not a fake manifestation of feelings, and not just allied feelings, but friendship, respect, military brotherhood. It would seem that now mutual understanding has been ensured for many years, but everything disappeared very quickly. This does not mean that it is not necessary to fight together; on the contrary, it is necessary to fight together.

- Why don't they want to help us in the common fight against terrorism?

- Well, this is an exclusively political topic. They do not want to, because the fight against terrorism is understood by many as one of the tools to influence the world in terms of achieving their own political goals. And if the phenomenon of terrorism begins to be used as a tool to achieve their own political goals, then there will be no real fight against terrorism. We are clearly faced with this today in the Middle East. What has been happening recently, the fact that Russia has managed to organize a coalition in the fight against terrorism in Syria, of course, is a remarkable phenomenon in modern political life. I sincerely wish the victory over terrorism to be truly achieved - first in Syria, and then wherever terrorism raises its head.

But I will say it again: peoples are drawing closer together, organically drawing closer when there is a community - not only a struggle, but a community of values. And I would like to emphasize once again: it is the Christian heritage that is the value community that gives hope for a true rapprochement between East and West. If this phenomenon disappears from Western life, if it is really destroyed, then we will lose everything. There will no longer be any commonality of values, and pragmatism will not go far, be it economic, political, or even military pragmatism.

- Your Holiness, we all know that both the Russian Orthodox Church and you personally spent a lot of energy fighting for the life of unborn babies. Women often say that the reason is material insecurity, but we know that in fact the problem is broader. This is our way of life. Someone needs to finish their studies, someone needs to find a job, but they have found a job - now they need to make a career. All once, once, once ... How deep is this problem today? And how to make sure that we have fewer abortions and more children?

- Yes, everything depends on ourselves, on our inner world, on our goal-setting, because everyone wants to make a career to one degree or another, in one area or another, and it is desirable that this career be accompanied by an increase in material well-being - all this is perfect fine.

Now let's ask the question: what should a person take to make a career? First of all, he must learn to manage himself. He must learn self-restraint. Someone wants to go dancing, while someone prepares for exams very seriously. Someone wants to spend a vacation, liberating themselves and enjoying life, while someone at this time loads themselves with additional tasks, some problems that they need to solve, preparing themselves for a successful career.

Let me give you an example from the Soviet past. I had many acquaintances from the scientific world, from the medical world, and many of these wonderful specialists wrote their doctoral theses in the kitchen, in small Khrushchev apartments. Isn't this a feat? Isn't this self-restraint? And what if they refused to write these doctoral dissertations and said: "Yes, I can't in the kitchen, here they are knocking with pans, the kids are running around"? But this self-restraint led to a brilliant career ...

- And what discoveries! We still use it!

- To discoveries. So, it's the same with children. In the name of a career, you cannot relieve yourself of those tasks that stand in front of you as a person. You must go to self-restraint. Yes, a child appears - of course, the expenditure of time, effort, mental energy, limitations in comfort. But without such a limitation there can be no human growth. Therefore, when they tell me that in order to be happy, you need to have an abortion, I answer: this is a terrible delusion. You will not be happy if, while providing your living space, you go to kill the child. That is why it is important to rebuild consciousness. It is necessary that everyone understands: without self-restraint, without heroic deeds, without sacrifice, the human personality cannot take place. This means that a real career will not take place. Ask any successful person: how did you manage to achieve this? And the answer will be this: through labor and self-restraint. This is a sine qua non for human growth. And God grant that this understanding deeply entered the consciousness of our people.

I would like to say the same about one more thing. There is no love without self-restraint. Love is always accompanied by sacrifice. If a person is unable to give himself to another, then there is no love. The ability of self-restraint in love is the real test of whether you love a person or not. If you cannot do anything for him, there is no love, no matter how attractive this person is to you - externally, emotionally or in some other way.

Therefore, all this is very closely connected - sacrifice, self-restraint, exploit, career, love and human happiness. And the preservation of the child in this entire system is a very important factor that determines the fullness of human life.

- Your Holiness, at the end of last year, with your participation, as well as with the participation of the Primate, we witnessed how Ukraine received its prisoner of war. He was, and without any conditions - such a very kind and revealing gesture. Please tell me how you think the Church in Ukraine will play at least some role in the process of national reconciliation? After all, in principle, probably, Ukrainians still believe in God - for example, in which so many people took part. But is national reconciliation itself possible now? Is there anyone to help?

- I will say more: if national reconciliation begins, it will be precisely because the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has taken the position that it occupies. This is the only correct position. Really goes civil War, civil confrontation, the country is divided. There are civil contradictions that have historical, religious, cultural reasons - we will not go into this now - and no dictatorial approach to the regulation of public life can remove these contradictions. The Orthodox Church understands that these contradictions exist, but it is necessary to live together, otherwise the country will really be scattered to pieces. And the Orthodox Church is this peacemaking force, her flock is both in the east and in the west. After all, the procession began both from the east and from the west: both there and there tens of thousands of people! It was a symbol and a sign that the potential for peacemaking is preserved, for the creation of a just and peaceful life in Ukraine. But I must say that we all must work for this reconciliation. I understand that some events on the territory of Ukraine, which the media report to us, arouse a feeling of protest in people. But it is very important that this feeling of protest does not develop into a feeling of hatred. And it is very important that the media cover Ukrainian topics in this way so that a negative, negative, hostile attitude towards Ukraine does not arise among our people. And all this unfavorable political context will pass.

- So you think that what is upstairs now, this foam will come off?

- It will all pass. The Ukrainian and Great Russian people will remain. We were always together, we were one people, then these people went to different apartments. But we remain people who are united by a common faith, common history and common values. And everything must be done so that hostility and negative attitude towards the people does not arise in the hearts of people. It is this work of reconciliation that our Church serves. We pray for every service that the Lord would pour out His mercy on the Ukrainian people and stop civil confrontation. And we are trying to educate and, I think, not without success, our people in love for their brothers and sisters living in Ukraine. This is the only way to maintain the close bond that has linked us for centuries. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is doing the same, despite very difficult conditions.

- Our Church over the centuries of existence has created all the prerequisites for our great Russian culture to flourish. In recent months, a strange conflict has suddenly surfaced - of course, you've heard of it. Conflict between creative people: some are against the idea that creativity has some kind of framework; on the other hand, those who believe that such a framework should exist because some of their ideas about good are violated. Moreover, sometimes the latter fight by their own methods, sometimes even by force. Someone prohibits some performances, someone criticizes films, and so far neither one nor the other has reconciled with each other. How do you think, Your Holiness, to seek a compromise, how to reconcile them?

- I think Brodsky said: all creativity is a prayer. All creativity is in the ears of the Almighty, this is what is directed towards Him. Figurative expression, but it speaks of the most important thing. Creativity and culture should elevate the human personality. If a production, a film, a work of art, a literary work lifts a person, if it gives him the strength to love, sacrifice, work, respect another, then this is genuine culture. These samples of cultural creativity cultivate the human personality, elevate it.

But to be honest, many works of so-called modern culture turn a person into a beast, liberate instincts, encourage the most vile manifestations human nature... Can we call culture that which destroys the human personality, that which transforms the human community into a herd, into a flock of animals? After all, each of us knows examples of films and books that liberate the Dionysian principle in a person, this black energy. And if people, due to religious, ideological, cultural and historical principles, disagree with such works of culture and art, why should they be silent? Silence tramples on God. Silence tramples on the truth. There are times when you cannot be silent. Another conversation is that this should not turn into acts of vandalism, violence. This is quite obvious.

If we shut the mouth of a person who, based on his understanding of what is good and evil, protests against the manifestations of so-called creativity, then we will make a huge mistake. Another conversation is that all this discourse should be introduced into a civilized field. But what needs to be done for this? Of course, now everyone is paying attention to those who protest radically, and not to those who provoke these radical protests. Let me give you an example. The famous exhibition in the Manezh is the works of Vadim Sidur. A couple of months before this exhibition, some official in the Ministry of Culture signs an order declaring these blasphemous images as works of art. And then an exhibition is held in the center of Moscow. What it is? Direct provocation. So, if we only punish those who protest, and do not understand when and how these images became works of art, why they were exhibited in Moscow, then we will have a one-sided approach to the topic.

But I am for freedom of creativity, for freedom of expression. Something in images on religious themes may not be quite convenient for my perception, but I respect the work of real artists, and in this sense the Church has always been very sensitive and always knew the boundaries of expressing her disagreement. Therefore, I am for freedom of creativity, for the absence of censorship, but also for mutual respect, for the fight against both vandalism and provocations.

- Your Holiness, now such a life, a frantic rhythm, time seems to be compressed. Such a number of events happen over a certain period of time - it seems to me that this has never happened, and we are in this rhythm. And still against the backdrop of a gigantic information noise, wars that in one way or another concern not only journalists, but all people. We are all indignant at how much injustice towards Russians is being pronounced in the world. This noise, noise, rhythm, rhythm - there is no time to stop, think. Please teach, advise, Your Holiness, how to stop and at least for a second comprehend the very holiday of the Nativity of Christ, the meaning of the very event of the birth of Christ for all mankind and for individuals, for each of us.

- A person must have some kind of shelter. During the war, the shelter saves from physical death. We are constantly in incredible turbulence, you are right. The information flow brings colossal force to our homes, to our families, to our consciousness, to our souls, the conflicts of the world around us. A colossal effect is exerted on the human psyche, his nervous system and, of course, moral feelings. If you are constantly in conditions of this turbulence, then it really threatens with very negative consequences for a person. And we know how neuroses develop, how mental illnesses develop, how the human body cannot cope with stress, how the number of suicides is growing, including among young people. For me, the temple of God has always been a refuge. When you come to the temple, everything, as it were, remains outside its walls. You find yourself in an atmosphere where the influence of God's grace is especially felt, when a person begins to think not about what is outside the church, but about what is in his heart, what is in his soul, when he turns to God with his innermost. Moreover, this can happen both during service and outside it. A lot of people just come during the day, light a candle, stand, be silent, think, take a little respite in this whirlwind. And if you can't go to the temple (sometimes there is not enough time for this, even when the temple is very close and on the way), then you need to have that time at home. Believers call this prayer time - at the beginning and at the end of the working day. Prayer helps to calm down, focus, gain strength. It is no coincidence that there are people who devote their whole lives to prayer. Not because they want to impose some unbearable burden on themselves, but because there is such a need in a person.

Well, and Christmas is a special time, because everything that surrounds us reminds us of this event: both solemn services and the way the people celebrate this event. Therefore, these days we should especially feel God's presence. And I would like everyone who hears and sees us today to wish a Merry Christmas - in the sense that this holiday really gives us the opportunity to experience heartfelt happiness, joy, peace and quiet. Without this, human life loses its fullness, and no matter how difficult the circumstances of external life are, it is very important to find strength in oneself, including touching the holy, light and joyful, to influence one's soul so that it more peace, goodness and truth.

- Thank you, Your Holiness. Happy Holidays!

- Thank you. Happy Holidays!

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

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"War is always grief." Patriarch Kirill's Christmas interview

On January 7, 2016, the Russia-1 TV channel broadcasted the traditional Christmas interview of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the journalist and TV presenter, Director General of the Russian international news agency Rossiya Segodnya, Dmitry Kiselev. We offer the readers of "Pravmir" the text and video recording of this interview.

- Your Holiness, thank you for this traditional Christmas interview. But this year our conversation differs from all previous ones in that Russia is fighting... How should a believer relate to this? It is clear that we are talking primarily about Orthodox Christians, but also about Muslims.

What does this mean? This means that engaging in certain activities that could lead to death may be justified. The Gospel clearly describes when this is possible - when you give your life for others. Strictly speaking, this is what the idea of \u200b\u200ba just war is based on. Even Blessed Augustine tried to describe the parameters of such a war in the distant V century. Now, there may be slightly different ideas, but the essence remains the same: military actions are justified when they protect a person, society, and the state.

What is happening today in seemingly distant Syria, which in fact is not far at all, is literally our neighbor - this is the defense of the Fatherland. Many today clearly speak about this, because if terrorism wins in Syria, it has a huge chance, if not to defeat, then extremely darken the life of our people, bring misfortune and disaster. Therefore, this war is defensive - not so much even a war as point impacts. But, nevertheless, this is the participation of our people in hostilities, and as long as this war is defensive in nature, it is fair.

Besides, we all know very well what terrible misfortunes terrorism brings. Our people went through terrible trials - Beslan, Volgograd, it is impossible to list everything. We are burned by this pain, we know what it is. And our plane, which was shot down over Sinai? Therefore, all that happens is a defensive response. In this sense, we are boldly talking about a just fight.

Besides, there is another very important point. By our actions, we are participating in the rescue of so many people in Syria and the Middle East. I remember how in 2013, when we celebrated the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, Patriarchs and representatives of all Local Orthodox Churches came to Moscow. We met with Vladimir Vladimirovich in the Kremlin, and the main topic was to save the Christian presence in the Middle East. This was a general appeal to the President. I do not want to say that this particular motive is decisive, but it is about protecting people who are unjustly destroyed as a result of terrorist acts - including, of course, the Christian community.

Therefore, like any war and any military action associated with the death of people, this war is a grief and can be a sin. But as long as it protects the lives of people and our country, we treat it as just actions aimed at achieving just goals.

- Your Holiness, you are talking about saving people, but this war (I mean the war in Syria and our military operation as a part of it) complicates the position of the Orthodox in the world - they are in any case associated with Russia ...

Christians are really in a very difficult situation, and what is happening now in Syria, it seems to me, will not worsen it. On the contrary, we know cases of return from captivity, we know cases of liberation of Christians and entire Christian settlements, places of their compact residence. From the reaction we receive from our fellows, it is clear that they look with hope at Russia's participation in this war of liberation, in these actions aimed at overcoming terrorism.

In that case, to what extent is what is happening in Syria now a religious war? How can you counter the fanatics who, they say, are driven by faith? What is the nature of this phenomenon?

- It has already become a commonplace to say that this is not a religious war, and I join this attitude towards this conflict. Let me give you a historical example. Relations between Christians and Muslims in history have not been cloudless. We know that there were cases of forced conversion to Islam and the conquest of the Christian territories of Byzantium. But, if we leave aside the actual military actions, which were always accompanied by losses on both sides, then there has never been anything similar to what is happening now in the Islamic world.

Take even the example of the Ottoman Empire. There was a certain order of relations between religious communities. Until now, in the hands of an Arab Muslim - the keys to the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher. This is all from the very Turkish times, when the Muslim was responsible for security, for keeping Christian relics. That is, a method of interaction between communities was developed, which, of course, cannot be called the most favored nation regime, but people lived, fulfilled their religious duties, there were patriarchates, the Church existed - and all this in antiquity, in the 1st millennium or in the so-called dark Middle Ages.

But then came the enlightened times - the end of the XX and the beginning of the XXI century. And what do we see? The genocide of Christians, as we have just said, is the extermination of the Christian population. The presence of Christians in Iraq, Syria has decreased by an order of magnitude, people are fleeing from the fear of being destroyed by whole families ...

There is such a thing as fanaticism, that is, an idea brought to the point of absurdity. Now, fanatics believe they have the right to dispose of the fate of people, that is, it is free to decide whether a Christian community should exist or not - most often that it should not exist, because Christians are "unfaithful" and are subject to destruction. This fanatical idea itself, taken to the point of absurdity, is the opposite of a religious idea, contrary to God. God did not call to destroy anyone in the name of relations with Him or, better to say, for the sake of manifesting religious feelings. Therefore, behind fanaticism, in the end, there is godlessness, only this is not understood by the dark mass of people who are involved in these terrible actions. To do so is to reject God and God's world.

- Are fanatics atheists?

- Fanatics are de facto atheists. Although they will talk about their belonging to the faith and even perform some religious rituals, but by convictions, by their views, these are people who deny His will and God's peace. It couldn't have been otherwise. In order to create a terrorist community, people need to be inspired to hatred, and hatred is not from God, it comes from another source. Therefore, when we talk about the so-called religious fanaticism, extremism and terrorism, we are talking about the phenomenon associated with the refusal of a person to be a believer and be in union with God.

- The world is split, and maybe the fight against terrorism is a chance for it? Can the fight against terrorism unite humanity, and if so, on what basis?

- Perhaps, tactically, he will reconcile some forces to solve common problems, but the struggle against someone can never unite. We need a positive agenda. We need a system of values \u200b\u200bthat would unite people, and let me take this opportunity today and say something about the phenomenon of religious terrorism that I have never said before.

How are people lured into the terrorist community? With money, drugs, some kind of promises - all this, so to speak, non-idealistic factor works to the fullest. And there is no need to idealize everyone who joins this community. Many are driven by extremely tough pragmatic interests - to cash in, conquer, steal, seize. The same use of Syrian oil fully testifies to the presence of greed and conquest.

But there are also people who are honest, or at least those who join the ranks of terrorists for really religious reasons. I am sure that there is, because people respond to the call of extremists most often in mosques, after prayer, but how can you influence a person who has just prayed to force him to take up arms? It is necessary to bind his religious feelings, his faith with very specific arguments aimed, among other things, at participation in military operations and on everything else that accompanies terrorist activities. And what can be an argument - have we ever thought about it? "You become a fighter for the caliphate." - "What is a caliphate?" “And this is a society where faith, God is in the center, where religious laws prevail. You are creating a new civilization in relation to the one that is now established in the world - godless, secular and also radical in your secularism. "

We now see that this godless civilization is really advancing, including on the rights of people, which are proclaimed almost the highest value - but you cannot wear a cross. Parades of sexual minorities can be held, this is welcome, and the million-strong demonstration of French Christians in defense of family values \u200b\u200bis dispersed by the police. If you call an unconventional relationship a sin, as the Bible tells us, and you are a priest or a pastor, then you may not only be deprived of the opportunity to serve, but also go to prison.

I can continue to continue to cite just terrible examples of how this godless civilization comes. And that's what the finger is pointing at to young people who are seduced by extremists. "Look what they are building a world - a devilish world, and we invite you to build the world of God." And they respond to this, for this they go to give their lives. Then they can use drugs and anything, but in order to arouse a person to fight, you must first show him the enemy. That is what they do, calling specific addresses and saying why certain people are enemies in relation to you, and perhaps in relation to the entire human race.

It is necessary to combine human freedom with moral responsibility. It is necessary to give every person the opportunity to live in accordance with God's law. There is no need to restrict the manifestation of religious feelings, and at the same time it is not necessary to limit the freedom of human choice. If we can connect all these constituent parts, then we will build a viable civilization. And if we fail, then we are doomed to constant struggle and constant suffering. It is impossible to try to build the future by pulling the rope, by the victory of one model over another, by creating some artificial forms of human community that do not correspond to either moral nature or religious feeling. And if mankind succeeds in achieving a moral consensus, if this moral consensus can somehow be incorporated into international law, into legislation, then there is a chance to build a just global civilization system.

- You are talking about a chance and you mentioned France. In France, after these terrible terrorist attacks in Paris, the national response to them was a call to prayer - and this is in a country where, according to statistics, Christians are already in the minority, less than half. So what was it? Seizing the chance you mentioned?

- It was a natural reaction of people. You know, the same thing happened after September 11 in New York - temples of all confessions and religions began to overflow with people. The same thing happened when the seemingly completely atheized Soviet society turned to God during the Great Patriotic War... The temples were overcrowded; As people who took part in the fighting told me, there was not a single atheist on the front line. When a person comes face to face with a danger that he cannot overcome on his own and even together with others, he turns to God - and he hears this God's answer! Otherwise, they would not have addressed Him.

Therefore, leading us through some trials, the Lord, of course, is waiting for our conversion. And in this sense, I very highly appreciate what is happening in our country today. I do not idealize what is happening, but I see how slowly, not without work, there is a certain convergence of the two principles in the life of our people, how there is a synthesis of the material, scientific, technical principle, people's aspiration for a prosperous life with the growth of their spiritual needs. I cannot say that we have achieved a lot. We may be at the very beginning of the path, but this is a very correct path. When I see young people, educated, prosperous, with a bright, strong faith in their hearts, you know, the soul rejoices. See the image new Russia- in fact, it's worth living for.

- Your Holiness, when you talk about our country, then, of course, we recognize Russia. On the other hand, you have more than one country, for example. Ukraine is also your country, and the Russian Orthodox Church every service raises prayers for Ukraine, for the suffering. How do you assess the processes taking place in Ukraine?

- For me, Ukraine is the same as Russia. There my people, the Church, which the Lord blessed me to lead in this historical period of time. This is my joy and my pain. This is the reason for sleepless nights and the reason for the high enthusiasm that sometimes visits me when I think of people who, with such strength and faith, defend their convictions, their right to remain Orthodox.

What is happening in Ukraine today, of course, fills the heart with anxiety. We are witnessing horror stories with the capture of temples. Ptichye village, Rivne region. Several women, two priests sit huddled together for several days - cold, electricity is off, no heat, no food, no water. Miraculously, one managed to make a phone call, and we learned about what was happening inside. And around a roaring crowd, demanding to throw out these people and hand over the temple that they built, which belongs to them, to another religious group, which we call schismatics, which does not belong to the canonical Church. The court stands for the rights of the believers of our Church, but no authorities protect these rights.

Maybe someone will say: “Well, what are you talking about a particular case? Look at the life of the country as a whole. " But what does this mean? People have chosen the so-called European path of development - well, they have chosen and have chosen, no one is tearing the hair on their heads on this occasion and no one is trying to interfere with this path. Well, go this way! Is terror a factor in modern European life, with all its costs that we talked about? Is it possible in this way to attract people to the European path of development, when for many it is associated with blood and suffering? I'm not talking about the hunger and misfortune of many people ...

I have only one hope that there is a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a Confessor Church, which today really unites the people. Not a single political force unites the people, not a single political force works for conciliar Ukraine, especially those very loud-speaking people who proclaim the idea of \u200b\u200bconciliar Ukraine as their political program. They do not work for this program, but the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is working, which unites the East, and West, and North, and South, which humbly but courageously speaks the truth, which leads people to unification, but this is the only way and only with this unifying a factor can be linked to the prosperous future of Ukraine.

I pray for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, for the episcopate of our Church, for the clergy, for the believing people, and I believe that in this way Ukraine will be preserved and will be a prosperous, peaceful, calm country, friendly towards its neighbors, open towards Europe. No one will feel bad from this, so God forbid that it be so.

- Ukraine is going through difficult times, not only in the spiritual, but also in the material sense. The people fell into poverty, and the economic crisis is affecting both Russia and many countries of the world. People who only yesterday considered themselves the middle class are becoming poorer and are beginning to feel poor, even if they are not living in poverty, but in the material sense they are worse than yesterday. They have a kind of low self-esteem, and recently such a worldview structure has developed that only a good life is valuable, and a bad life is not needed at all. This leads to the fact that someone may even commit suicide, someone falls into despair, gives up ... Still, the value of life - how does it change, and does it change, in the conditions of an economic crisis, in conditions of lack of something ?

- I think it all depends on what is inside the person. After all, we went through, and our parents went through the hardest periods, from an economic point of view, much more difficult than now. Now, in general, the severity is relative - a person earns a little more or less, only God forbid that the economic situation deteriorates, but in general today there is no tragedy in the country. Therefore, the faint of heart, internally weak, empty people are disappointed.

If you associate all your well-being only with money, if well-being is measured by the quality of your vacation, material living conditions, then the slightest reduction in consumption may seem like a monstrous tragedy. And what does it mean? This means that the person is not too resilient. He cannot always live in some particularly favorable conditions; and even if the conditions are materially favorable, then everything happens in his soul. And how often do well-off people go through a crisis family life, through despair, how many suicides among the rich and prosperous people!

The only thing to fight against, which in no case should be allowed, what we need to eradicate, is to eradicate poverty. There is a difference between poverty and misery. Dostoevsky says this very well in Crime and Punishment. There Marmeladov philosophizes about this, that poverty does not destroy pride, that is, a certain self-confidence, but poverty sweeps people out of human communication ...

- "Poverty is not a vice, poverty is a vice" ...

- Indeed, poverty throws a person out of society. Who will communicate with the unfortunate vagrant who sleeps on the street, who will let him into the house? A poor man, neatly dressed, intelligent, will be allowed in, and they will talk, and they will be hired, but the beggar is all, he is an outcast. But this is our people, these are not some aliens who have descended to us. And if you delve into the history of these poor people? Often they were happy a year or two ago, but different circumstances - raider seizure of an apartment, loss of job, loss of health - lead to this state.

Therefore, one of our national tasks should be to ensure that there is no poverty in Russia, that there are no homeless people in Russia. The church is trying to do everything in its power to help, warm up in the winter, wash, dress, give advice, buy a ticket to home. These are not very significant measures, but a nationwide program for the complete eradication of poverty should be adopted.

But even with all this, we will not solve the problem of human happiness. No decrease in interest rates and no increase in income will play a decisive role. I say this because it is on everyone's lips now, people are very concerned about what is happening with their investments in banks, with loans, and everything else. This, of course, is important, I am not minimizing this problem, but I want to say that it is not at all determined in the first place what human life and human happiness mean.

If we talk to God about all this and ask for His help, then we will change ourselves, we will change our inner world. We will become stronger, and our well-being depends on this inner spiritual strength - in my opinion, to a much greater extent than on external material factors. Although these factors should not be minimized, taking into account all that we have said in connection with the miserable existence of many of our citizens.

- Your Holiness, I cannot but ask this question in the coming year. We will be celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the Russian monastic presence on Athos. How is this holiday supposed to be celebrated?

- This is a very important event in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the history of Athos and, of course, in the whole of universal Orthodoxy. On Mount Athos, in our monasteries on the eve of this holiday, grandiose restoration work has been and is being carried out. Private philanthropists are investing heavily in the restoration of Russian Athos monasteries, and we very much hope that our monasteries, which fell into disrepair during the 20th century, will be transformed by the celebration of this event, because there was no influx of monks, ties with Russia were severed.

Also in our country will be held scientific conferences, carried out numerous research projects and publications. We want to involve our scientific community, our intelligentsia and, of course, our people in this celebration. Why? Because Athos was, is and will be a center that has a special spiritual meaning for us, for all our people. Surprisingly, Athos played, plays and will, apparently, continue to play an important role in the Christianization of our society. After all, many go there for the sake of exoticism - just to see what kind of place it is, where women are not allowed, where monks are self-governing, some kind of state within a state ... They come and feel the grace of God in their hearts and keep in touch with Athos. For many, this connection leads to God and strengthens their spiritual life. Therefore, the anniversary, in addition to the cultural one, historical significanceis also of great spiritual importance to our people.

- What will be most important for your flock in Russia and the world in the coming year? What to avoid, what to strive for?

- I cannot give any specific advice now. Because for each person, all this is very individual, and what is good for one person may not be very good for another. And some general advice, general wishes do not touch the mind and heart too much ... But I would like to say about very important things that will help in implementing plans and overcoming life's difficulties.

We have already said that it is good every morning and every evening, while standing before God, to analyze your life, bring repentance and act in the future in accordance with this analysis, but now I would like to say about prayer in general. This is a completely special phenomenon, because God created us autonomous, including from Him. He gave us such freedom that we can believe in Him or not, live according to His law or not, turn to Him or not. Then we simply live according to the laws and elements of this world. There are physical laws, so we live by these laws, or we ourselves create some laws and live by them. And prayer is a way out of this autonomy. The man says: "You created me this way, but I want to be with You." Prayer is drawing God into your own life. Through prayer we make God our co-worker, as it were. We say: "Help, come into my life, limit my freedom" - because very often we do not know what to do.

They come to the priest and say: "Father, should I get married or not?", "Should I marry or not?" I always say to confessors: "Be careful with such answers, how can you know?" These are the questions a person should address to God, as, perhaps, smaller questions related to everyday life... When we ask God, when we pray, we establish a connection with Him, God is really present in our lives, and we become stronger. This is the first thing I would like to wish people: learn to pray. Learning to pray means learning to be strong, and what will hinder our connection with God in any case is when we consciously sin. Of course, we can also repent - sincere repentance removes sin and responsibility for it, but what is very important, if we consciously live in unrepentant sin, then our prayers do not reach God. Sin is the only wall that really separates us from God. There is a wall, and there is no contact, the circuit does not close ...

- An unrepentant sin?

- Unrepentant sin. Therefore, when we realize that we are doing badly, we need to repent, first of all, before God, well, if anyone has the strength and capabilities, then in the temple before the priest. This is the second thing I would like. By the way, confession is not before the priest, but before God, the priest is only a witness to the fact of repentance. The sinner was excommunicated from the Church, he could not receive communion, he could not enter the church, and therefore there had to be a witness of his repentance in order to say: "Yes, he can come, he can pray with us." This is where the tradition of repentance comes from in the presence of a priest, but before the face of God.

Well, and the last thing I would like to say. Our lives become pleasing to God if we simply do good deeds. Many people need these good deeds - from those closest to us with whom we live, to those with whom we meet by the nature of our service, in different life circumstances. If we learn to do good, we will become happy people, because good multiplies good. This is what I would like to wish to myself, to you and to everyone who listens and sees us.

- Thank you sincerely for this important interview for all, Your Holiness. Thank.

- Your Holiness, thank you for this traditional Christmas interview. But this year our conversation differs from all previous ones in that Russia is fighting. How should a believer relate to this? It is clear that we are talking primarily about Orthodox Christians, but also about Muslims.

In that case, to what extent is what is happening in Syria now a religious war? How can you counter the fanatics who, they say, are driven by faith? What is the nature of this phenomenon?

- It has already become a commonplace to say that this is not a religious war, and I join this attitude towards this conflict. Let me give you a historical example. Relations between Christians and Muslims in history have not been cloudless. We know that there were cases of forced conversion to Islam and the conquest of the Christian territories of Byzantium. But if we leave out of the brackets the actual military actions, which were always accompanied by losses on both sides, then nothing like what is happening now in the Islamic world has never happened.

Take even the example of the Ottoman Empire. There was a certain order of relations between religious communities. Until now, in the hands of an Arab Muslim - the keys to the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher. This is all from the very Turkish times, when the Muslim was responsible for security, for keeping Christian relics. That is, a way of interaction between communities was developed, which, of course, cannot be called the most favored nation regime, but people lived, fulfilled their religious duties, there were patriarchies, the Church existed - and all this in antiquity, in the 1st millennium or in the so-called dark Middle Ages ...

There is such a thing as fanaticism, that is, an idea brought to the point of absurdity. So, fanatics believe that they have the right to dispose of the fate of people, that is, freely decide whether a Christian community exists or not - most often that it does not exist, because Christians are “unfaithful” and are subject to destruction. This fanatical idea itself, taken to the point of absurdity, is the opposite of a religious idea, contrary to God. God did not call to destroy anyone in the name of relations with Him or, better to say, for the sake of manifesting religious feelings. Therefore, behind fanaticism, in the end, there is godlessness, only this is not understood by the dark mass of people who are involved in these terrible actions. To do so is to reject God and God's world.

- Are fanatics atheists?

- The world is split, and maybe the fight against terrorism is a chance for it? Can the fight against terrorism unite humanity, and if so, on what basis?

- It was a natural reaction of people. You know, the same thing happened after September 11 in New York - temples of all confessions and religions began to overflow with people. The same thing happened when the seemingly completely atheized Soviet society turned to God during the Great Patriotic War. The temples were overcrowded; As people who took part in the fighting told me, there was not a single atheist on the front line. When a person comes face to face with a danger that he cannot overcome on his own and even together with others, he turns to God - and he hears this God's answer! Otherwise, they would not have addressed Him.

Therefore, leading us through some trials, the Lord, of course, is waiting for our conversion. And in this sense, I very highly appreciate what is happening in our country today. I do not idealize what is happening, but I see how slowly, not without work, there is a certain convergence of the two principles in the life of our people, how there is a synthesis of the material, scientific, technical principle, people's aspiration for a prosperous life with the growth of their spiritual needs. I cannot say that we have achieved a lot. We may be at the very beginning of the path, but this is a very correct path. When I see young people, educated, prosperous, with a bright, strong faith in their hearts, you know, the soul rejoices. You see the image of the new Russia - in fact, it’s worth living for.

If you associate all your well-being only with money, if well-being is measured by the quality of your vacation, material living conditions, then the slightest reduction in consumption may seem like a monstrous tragedy. And what does it mean? This means that the person is not too resilient. He cannot always live in some particularly favorable conditions; and even if the conditions are materially favorable, then everything happens in his soul. And how often quite prosperous people go through a crisis of family life, through despair, how many suicides among rich and prosperous people!

- "Poverty is not a vice, poverty is a vice" ...

Also in our country will be held scientific conferences, carried out numerous research projects and publications. We want to involve our scientific community, our intelligentsia and, of course, our people in this celebration. Why? Because Athos was, is and will be a center that has a special spiritual meaning for us, for all our people. Surprisingly, Athos played, plays and will, apparently, continue to play an important role in the Christianization of our society. After all, many go there for the sake of exoticism - just to see what kind of place it is, where women are not allowed, where monks are self-governing, some kind of state within a state ... They come and feel the grace of God in their hearts and keep in touch with Athos. For many, this connection leads to God and strengthens their spiritual life. Therefore, the anniversary, in addition to cultural and historical significance, also has great spiritual significance for our people.

- What will be most important for your flock in Russia and the world in the coming year? What to avoid, what to strive for?

They come to the priest and say: "Father, should I get married or not?", "Should I marry or not?" I always say to confessors: "Be careful with such answers, how can you know?" These are the questions a person should address to God, as well as, perhaps, smaller issues related to everyday life. When we ask God, when we pray, we establish a connection with Him, God is really present in our lives, and we become stronger. This is the first thing I would like to wish people: learn to pray. Learning to pray means learning to be strong, and what will hinder our connection with God in any case is when we consciously sin. Of course, we can also repent - sincere repentance removes sin and responsibility for it, but what is very important, if we consciously live in unrepentant sin, then our prayers do not reach God. Sin is the only wall that really separates us from God. There is a wall, and there is no contact, the circuit does not close ...

- An unrepentant sin?

- Thank you sincerely for this important interview for all, Your Holiness. Thank.

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

On January 7, 2016 on the air of the TV channel "Russia 1" the Christmas interview of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the TV presenter, General Director of the Russian international news agency "Russia Today" Dmitry Kiselev was shown.

- Killing a person is a sin. Cain killed Abel, and, having embarked on the path of committing sin, humanity found itself in a situation where a violent way of influencing an individual, a group of people, and countries quite often turns out to be a means and a way of resolving conflicts. This, of course, is the most extreme and most sinful way. But the Gospel contains amazing words, the essence of which is that blessed is he who gives his life for another (see John 15:13). What does this mean? This means that engaging in certain activities that could lead to death may be justified. The Gospel clearly describes when this is possible - when you give your life for others. Strictly speaking, this is what the idea of \u200b\u200ba just war is based on. Even Blessed Augustine tried to describe the parameters of such a war in the distant V century. Now, there may be slightly different ideas, but the essence remains the same: military actions are justified when they protect a person, society, and the state.

What is happening today in seemingly distant Syria, which in fact is not far at all, is literally our neighbor - this is the defense of the Fatherland. Many people today clearly speak about this, because if terrorism wins in Syria, it has a huge chance, if not to defeat, then extremely darken the life of our people, bring misfortune and disaster. Therefore, this war is defensive - not so much even a war as point impacts. But, nevertheless, this is the participation of our people in hostilities, and as long as this war is defensive in nature, it is fair.

- As they say, there was nowhere to go further. The position of Christians in Syria, Iraq and many other countries has reached an extreme. Today, Christians are the most oppressed religious community, and not only where clashes with Islamic extremists occur, but also in many other places, including prosperous Europe, where the public manifestation of Christian feelings, for example, the open wearing of the cross, can lead to the fact that the person will be removed from work. We know how Christianity is being squeezed out of the public space - in many countries today the word "Christmas" is not used. Christians are really in a very difficult situation, and what is happening now in Syria, it seems to me, will not worsen it. On the contrary, we know cases of return from captivity, we know cases of liberation of Christians and entire Christian settlements, places of their compact residence. From the reaction we receive from our fellows, it is clear that they look with hope at Russia's participation in this war of liberation, in these actions aimed at overcoming terrorism.

In that case, to what extent is what is happening in Syria now a religious war? How can you counter the fanatics who, they say, are driven by faith? What is the nature of this phenomenon?

Take even the example of the Ottoman Empire. There was a certain order of relations between religious communities. Until now, in the hands of an Arab Muslim - the keys to the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher. This is all from the very Turkish times, when the Muslim was responsible for security, for keeping Christian relics. That is, a method of interaction between communities was developed, which, of course, cannot be called the most favored nation regime, but people lived, performed their religious duties, there were patriarchies, the Church existed - and all this in antiquity, in the 1st millennium or in the so-called dark Middle Ages ...

There is such a thing as fanaticism, that is, an idea brought to the point of absurdity. So, fanatics believe that they have the right to dispose of the fate of people, that is, to freely decide whether a Christian community exists or not - most often that it does not exist, because Christians are “unfaithful” and are subject to destruction. This fanatical idea itself, taken to the point of absurdity, is the opposite of a religious idea, contrary to God. God did not call to destroy anyone in the name of relations with Him or, better to say, for the sake of manifesting religious feelings. Therefore, behind fanaticism, in the end, there is godlessness, only this is not understood by the dark mass of people who are involved in these terrible actions. To do so is to reject God and God's world.

- Are fanatics atheists?

- Fanatics are de facto atheists. Although they will talk about their belonging to the faith and even perform some religious rituals, but by convictions, by their views, these are people who deny His will and God's peace. It couldn't have been otherwise. In order to create a terrorist community, people need to be inspired to hatred, and hatred is not from God, it comes from another source. Therefore, when we talk about the so-called religious fanaticism, extremism and terrorism, we are talking about the phenomenon associated with a person's refusal to be a believer and be in union with God.

- The world is split, and maybe the fight against terrorism is a chance for it? Can the fight against terrorism unite humanity, and if so, on what basis?

How are people lured into the terrorist community? With money, drugs, some kind of promises - all this, so to speak, non-idealistic factor works to the full. And there is no need to idealize everyone who joins this community. Many are driven by extremely tough pragmatic interests - to cash in, conquer, steal, seize. The same use of Syrian oil fully testifies to the presence of greed and conquest. But there are also people who are honest, or at least those who join the ranks of terrorists for really religious reasons. I am sure that there is, because people respond to the call of extremists most often in mosques, after prayer, but how can you influence a person who has just prayed to force him to take up arms? It is necessary to bind his religious feelings, his faith with very specific arguments aimed, among other things, at participation in military operations and on everything else that accompanies terrorist activities. And what can be an argument - have we ever thought about it? "You become a fighter for the caliphate." - "What is a caliphate?" “And this is a society where faith, God is at the center, where religious laws prevail. You are creating a new civilization in relation to the one that is now established in the world - godless, secular and also radical in your secularism. "

Therefore, reconciliation must not be based on the fight against terrorism. We all need to think about the ways of development of human civilization, we all need to think about how to combine the modern scientific and technical or, as they say now, post-industrial society with those spiritual and religious values \u200b\u200bwithout which a person cannot live. You can oppress the Church, push it back, you can deprive people of the opportunity to pursue their religious needs, but religious feelings cannot be killed, and this is well known. It is necessary to combine human freedom with moral responsibility. It is necessary to give every person the opportunity to live in accordance with God's law. There is no need to restrict the manifestation of religious feelings, and at the same time it is not necessary to limit the freedom of human choice. If we can connect all these constituent parts, then we will build a viable civilization. And if we fail, then we are doomed to constant struggle and constant suffering. It is impossible to try to build the future by pulling the rope, by the victory of one model over another, by creating some artificial forms of human community that do not correspond to either moral nature or religious feeling. And if mankind succeeds in achieving a moral consensus, if this moral consensus can somehow be incorporated into international law, into legislation, then there is a chance to build a just global civilization system.

- You are talking about a chance and you mentioned France. In France, after these terrible terrorist attacks in Paris, the nationwide response to them was a call to prayer - and this is in a country where, according to statistics, Christians are already in the minority, less than half. So what was it? Seizing the chance you mentioned?

- It was a natural reaction of people. You know, the same thing happened after September 11 in New York - temples of all confessions and religions began to overflow with people. The same thing happened when the seemingly completely atheized Soviet society turned to God during the Great Patriotic War. The temples were overcrowded; As people who took part in the fighting told me, there was not a single atheist on the front line. When a person comes face to face with a danger that he cannot overcome on his own and even together with others, he turns to God - and he hears this God's answer! Otherwise, they would not have addressed Him.

Therefore, leading us through some trials, the Lord, of course, is waiting for our conversion. And in this sense, I very highly appreciate what is happening in our country today. I do not idealize what is happening, but I see how slowly, not without work, there is a certain convergence of the two principles in the life of our people, how there is a synthesis of the material, scientific, technical principle, people's aspiration for a prosperous life with the growth of their spiritual needs. I cannot say that we have achieved much. We may be at the very beginning of the path, but this is a very correct path. When I see young people, educated, prosperous, with a bright, strong faith in their hearts, you know, the soul rejoices. You see the image of the new Russia - in fact, it’s worth living for.

Maybe someone will say: “Well, what are you talking about a particular case? Look at the life of the country as a whole. " But what does this mean? People have chosen the so-called European path of development - well, they have chosen and chosen, no one is tearing their hair on their heads on this occasion and no one is trying to interfere with this path. Well, go this way! Is terror a factor in modern European life, with all its costs that we talked about? Is it possible in this way to attract people to the European path of development, when for many it is associated with blood and suffering? I'm not talking about the hunger and misfortune of many people ...

And this is what I would like to say, and I know that my words will be heard in Ukraine. All this struggle is going on, including for a catholic Ukraine, for the preservation of its unity. But how can unity be maintained in this way? After all, people who do not want to repeat the experience of the village of Ptichye - they will fight with all their might so that the power that condones such a seizure of churches and the oppression of believers does not come to their home! This means that this kind of policy encourages the division of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, from a pragmatic point of view, it is stupid. It is necessary to unite people, but you can unite, which everyone knows from the example of family relations, only through love, openness, and readiness to hear. You need to make an effort to make everyone feel good, you need to calm down too zealous who are trying to rock the boat, you need to give others a chance to show themselves. But, unfortunately, nothing of the kind is happening in Ukraine today. I have only one hope that there is a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a Confessor Church, which today really unites the people. Not a single political force unites the people, not a single political force works for conciliar Ukraine, especially those very loud-speaking people who proclaim the idea of \u200b\u200bconciliar Ukraine as their political program. They do not work for this program, but the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is working, which unites the East, and West, and North, and South, which humbly but courageously speaks the truth, which leads people to unification, but this is the only way and only with this unifying a factor can be linked to the prosperous future of Ukraine.

- I think it all depends on what is inside the person. After all, we went through, and our parents went through difficult periods, from an economic point of view, much more difficult than now. Now, in general, the severity is relative - a person earns a little more or less, only God forbid that the economic situation deteriorates, but in general today there is no tragedy in the country. Therefore, the faint of heart, internally weak, empty people are disappointed. If you associate all your well-being only with money, if well-being is measured by the quality of your vacation, material living conditions, then the slightest reduction in consumption may seem like a monstrous tragedy. And what does it mean? This means that the person is not too resilient. He cannot always live in some particularly favorable conditions; and even if the conditions are materially favorable, then everything happens in his soul. And how often quite prosperous people go through a crisis of family life, through despair, how many suicides among rich and prosperous people!

- "Poverty is not a vice, poverty is a vice" ...

- Indeed, poverty throws a person out of society. Who will communicate with the unfortunate vagrant who sleeps on the street, who will let him into the house? A poor man, neatly dressed, intelligent will be allowed in, and they will talk, and will be hired, but the beggar is all, he is an outcast. But this is our people, these are not some aliens who have descended to us. And if you delve into the history of these poor people? Often they were happy a year or two ago, but different circumstances - raider seizure of an apartment, loss of job, loss of health - lead to this state.

But on what concerns the internal state, you need to work every day. After all, what is faith? This is the way of constant self-control and influence on your soul, on your consciousness. When we pray morning and evening, we must subject ourselves to careful analysis. I know that it is sometimes difficult for people to read prayers, because even in Slavic it is not very successful, and there seems to be not enough time, but there is enough time to think about yourself, to reflect on your life, about the day passed. So do it before the face of God! Subject your actions to analysis, control them, ask God for forgiveness and admonition so as not to repeat mistakes. I talked to someone wrong, raised my voice to someone, pulled someone back, hurt someone, offended someone, deceived someone ... If we talk to God about all this and ask for His help, then we we will change ourselves, we will change our inner world. We will become stronger, and our well-being depends on this inner spiritual strength - in my opinion, to a much greater extent than on external material factors. Although these factors should not be minimized, taking into account all that we have said in connection with the miserable existence of many of our citizens.

Also in our country will be held scientific conferences, carried out numerous research projects and publications. We want to involve our scientific community, our intelligentsia and, of course, our people in this celebration. Why? Because Athos was, is and will be a center that has a special spiritual significance for us, for all our people. Surprisingly, Athos played, plays and will, apparently, continue to play an important role in the Christianization of our society. After all, many go there for the sake of exoticism - just to see what kind of place it is, where women are not allowed, where monks are self-governing, some kind of state within a state ... They come - and in their hearts they feel the grace of God that dwells there, and always keep in touch with Athos. For many, this connection leads to God and strengthens their spiritual life. Therefore, the anniversary, in addition to cultural and historical significance, also has great spiritual significance for our people.

- What will be most important for your flock in Russia and the world in the coming year? What to avoid, what to strive for?

We have already said that it is good every morning and every evening, standing before God, to analyze your life, to bring repentance and act in the future in accordance with this analysis, but now I would like to say generally about prayer. This is a completely special phenomenon, because God created us autonomous, including from Him. He gave us such freedom that we can believe in Him or not, live according to His law or not, turn to Him or not. Then we simply live according to the laws and elements of this world. There are physical laws, so we live by these laws, or we ourselves create some laws and live by them. And prayer is a way out of this autonomy. The man says: "You created me this way, but I want to be with You." Prayer is drawing God into your own life. Through prayer we make God our co-worker, as it were. We say: “Help, come into my life, limit my freedom,” because very often we do not know what to do. They come to the priest and say: "Father, should I get married or not?", "Should I marry or not?" I always say to confessors: "Be careful with such answers, how can you know?" These are the questions a person should address to God, as well as, perhaps, smaller issues related to everyday life. When we ask God, when we pray, we establish a connection with Him, God is really present in our lives, and we become stronger. This is the first thing I would like to wish people: learn to pray. Learning to pray means learning to be strong, and what will hinder our connection with God in any case is when we consciously sin. Of course, we can also repent - sincere repentance removes sin and responsibility for it, but what is very important, if we consciously live in unrepentant sin, then our prayers do not reach God. Sin is the only wall that really separates us from God. There is a wall, and there is no contact, the circuit does not close ...

- An unrepentant sin?

- Thank you sincerely for this important interview for all, Your Holiness. Thank.

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Video recording of the conversation between the host and the patriarch.

Time: 43 minutes.

So that I would like to say the Christmas interview of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to watch online, I know that my words will be heard in Ukraine. All this struggle, including for the Cathedral Ukraine. For the preservation of its unity. But how can unity be maintained in this way? After all, those people who do not want to repeat the experience of the village of Ptichye, they will fight with all their might against the power that condones this kind of seizure of churches and the oppression of believers, does not come to their home. This means this kind of policy, it encourages the division of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, from a pragmatic point of view, this is all stupid. You need to unite people. And you can unite, everyone knows this by the example of family relations, only by love. Openness, willingness to hear, make efforts to make everyone feel good. Calm down too zealous who are trying to rock the boat. Give others a chance to prove themselves. Unfortunately, nothing of the kind is happening in Ukraine today. I have only one hope that there is a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a church of confessors, which today really unites the people. East and west, north and south, who humbly but courageously speaks the truth. Leads people to unification. But only in this way and only with this factor can the prosperous future of Ukraine be linked.

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