In an age when many Christian denominations are trying
to appear relevant and modern, I am finding that large numbers of people are
drawn to the Ancient Faith by the beard and robe. I am constantly thanked for
dressing as I do by people who appreciate symbols of faith in the midst of a
secular world. Many Orthodox jurisdictions that previously wanted to blend in
with their Catholic and Protestant neighbors by having our clergy put off the
traditional "look" of Orthodoxy, are now rediscovering the wisdom of
these traditions. Now that large numbers of the clean shaven, and modern
attired, heterodox clergy have been discredited in the minds of the world, due
to theological and moral lapses, is there any logical reason we Orthodox would
really want to imitate them?
Like so many other Orthodox clergy, I can also attest
to the fact that my beard, and my way of dress, are a great aid in keeping me,
sinner that I am, constantly attuned to my vocation as a monk, and as a priest.
It is hard to forget your high calling when you "dress for work" each
and every hour of every day. Our appearance is a constant reminder that we, as
priests, have been set apart as
Guardians of the Mysteries, and Servants of the
Most High.
From my personal observations, I have come to believe
that Orthodoxy, if it is to thrive into the next century, must adhere to the
ancient traditions and roots of the faith that have set her apart from the
religions. The Church must proclaim the Good News of Christ in all its purity,
so that the mystical and sacramental core of her very being be clearly seen by
a world that so needs this ancient, unchanging faith. The world must see by our
differences that Orthodoxy offers the transformational healing that comes
through the life of Christ's Church. By clinging to her ancient, God inspired
Tradition, the Church takes seriously the mystical and sacramental roots of her
divinely founded self.
As we Orthodox look in amazement at the phenomenal
resurrection of our Church following the fall of communism, what with the thousands
of new churches being reopened, new ones built, and monasteries growing at a
phenomenal rate, we will see that the twenty-first century could well be the
Age of Orthodoxy. And for this to happen, we must put off everything that has
brought down Western Christianity.
Accountability must be foremost in how we operate as
religious institutions. Bishops and priests must be accountable to one another,
transgressions against the Body of Christ must be rooted out, and the clergy
(including our bishops) must serve others as humble servants of Christ, and as
living icons of the Gospel message. Our co-suffering Saviour must be seen in
how we serve, and in how we live, and in how we love. The transformational
power of Orthodoxy must be allowed to change the world, as the
"institutional" church is replaced with the gospel vision of the
Church as Hospital of the Soul.
The Orthodox Church will thrive in the twenty-first
century only if we commit to being the otherworldly people we are called to be,
living in the world, but not being of the world. The Church will thrive, not
because she adapts to modern styles of dress, and modern trends of moral and
theological thought, but because of her willingness to serve the world in
imitation of the holy fathers of the Church who have gone on before us, and who
refused to conform to the styles and fashions of a world that has always been
in need of the unchanging Faith that has the power to transform lives, and
usher the human race into communion with the Most High God.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
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