What is Freedom? - Archbishop Averky of Jordanville

Orthodox Wisdom

Speaking to Russians in exile who saw firsthand the Bolshevik revolution, Archbishop Averky contrasts the true freedom in Christ from the tyrannical slavery of sin, indulgence, and worldly ambition that many falsely call “freedom.” As St. Paul wrote, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal 5:1). Reading from "The Just Shine Like The Stars: A Photographic Biography on the Life of Archbishop Averky of Jordanville Including Some of His Selected Sermons", pp. 59-61 -BUY Archbishop Averky’s most popular book “The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society”: https://www.holytrinitypublications.com/the-struggle-for-virtue -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ ______ And so now, having lived through all the bloody horrors and the merciless destruction of everything created by our forefathers over the centuries, those of us who still have a conscience can easily give an answer to the author's question: "Do you want a freedom which offers no restrictions and has no bounds?" No! You easily understand that this is not true freedom, not the freedom for which each human soul yearns. True freedom cannot carry with it hatred, sorrow and distress. This is not freedom; this is arbitrariness, a most crude and most cruel arbitrariness. Our reason, our heart and conscience, tell us that true freedom cannot be found in self-will, that self-will and arbitrariness are the enemies of freedom. Golden words! Do we not see, both in our Homeland and in the so-called "free world," this soul-terrifying randomness, under the wicked guise of "freedom"? This self-will reigns everywhere, in all aspects of our lives: personal, social, governmental and religious. People no longer think about the justice, fairness and humanity encompassed in the true sense of this word. Contemporary powers strive towards one goal: to make their own will become law for others, and are prepared to dole out harsh punishment to anyone who stands up in the name of the true Law — the Law of God — and who follows the principles of church and state which conform with this law. Where is this true Christian freedom, to which alone we should all strive? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (II Corinthians 3:17). And this same holy Apostle commands us to preserve this true freedom unceasingly, admonishing us: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." In our times it is especially important to parry all the deceitful propaganda of the many false teachers, who are so energetically preparing throughout the world a foundation for the reign of the Antichrist. We must unmask this propaganda whenever possible, and we must act against it using all the means available to us, or we, too, might find ourselves in the camp of these self-proclaimed "teachers." And more than anything else, we must cherish our spiritual freedom, reminding ourselves as often as possible of the words of the Apostles: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1). "He that hath ears, let him hear." (St. Luke 8:8). _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!