Naturally, this Christian patriotism we have
spoken of requires from each of us as great a service as possible to the
nation. The value of such service is even more significant if it is rendered
unselfishly - free of any material calculations and considerations. A person
serves the country in one way or another when he participates in its life by,
for example, expressing himself in the press or in civil elections, etc. In
this, one must strive to bring benefit to the whole country, the whole people,
and not to one's own personal or party interests - then one's conscience will
be at peace. It may be that one will not attain great external success, but let
him, nevertheless fulfil the duty of a patriot and a faithful child of the
nation in an honorable and Christian manner.
There is a saying, "In misfortune, a friend
is known." Love for the nation is most clearly manifested in times of
national trials and troubles. We all know how it feels when someone close to us
is ill. We do not want diversions or satisfactions. In our sorrow and concern,
we sometimes cannot even eat or drink or sleep. One who truly loves one's
nation will manifest similar feelings during times of national troubles. If our
heart is filled with nothing but our own personal experiences and interests, if
we moan and sigh while our deeds remain far from our words, then our love for
the nation is poor indeed.
One of the clearest and most self-denying
struggles of service to one's homeland is to die for the nation. A Christian
soldier is a defender of the homeland, and clearly fulfils Christ's precept, "there
is no greater love than to lay down one's life for ones brethren."
War in itself is absolutely evil, an extremely sad
phenomenon and deeply contrary to the very essence of Christianity. Words
cannot express how joyous it would be if people ceased to war with one another
and peace reigned on earth. Sad reality speaks quite otherwise, however. Only
some dreamers far removed from reality and some narrowly one-sided sectarians
can pretend that war can be omitted from real life.
It is quite correct to point out that war is a
violation of the commandment, "Do not kill." No one will argue
against that. Still, we see from the Holy Scripture that in that very same Old
Testament time when this commandment was given, the Israelite people fought on
command from God, and defeated its enemies with God's help. Consequently, the
meaning of the commandment, "Do not kill," does not refer
unconditionally to every act of removing a person's life. This commandment
forbids killing for revenge, in anger, by personal decision or act of will.
When our Savior explained the deep meaning of this commandment, He pointed out
that it forbids not only actual killing, but also an un-Christian, vain anger.
Nevertheless, in a conversation with the apostles
about the last days, the Lord told them, "You will hear of wars and
reports of wars. See that you are not distressed: for all this must be."
With these words, the Lord refutes all statements that war is avoidable.
True, we have already examined the fact that war
is a negative phenomenon. Yet, it will exist, sometimes as the sole defense of
truth and human rights, or against seizure, brutal invasion and violence. Only
such wars of defense are recognized in Christian teaching. In fact, we hear of
the following event in the life of St. Athanasios of the Holy Mountain.
Prince Tornikian of Georgia, an eminent commander
of the Byzantine armies, was received into monasticism at St Athanasios'
monastery. During the time of the Persian invasion, Empress Zoe recalled
Tornikian to command the armies. Tornikian flatly refused on the grounds that he
was a monk. But St. Athanasios said to him, "We are all children of our
homeland and we are obligated to defend it. Our obligation is to guard the
homeland from enemies by prayers. Nevertheless, if God deems it expedient to
use both our hands and our heart for the common weal, we must submit completely
... If you do not obey the ruler, you will have to answer for the blood of your
compatriots whom you did not wish to save." Tornikian submitted, defeated
the enemy and rescued the homeland from danger.
In a conversation with Mohammedans, about war, St.
Cyril the Enlightener of the Slavs said, "We meekly endure personal
offenses; but as a society, we defend each other, laying down our lives for our
neighbors..."
One can, of course, sin and sin greatly while participating
in war. This happens when one participates in war with a feeling of personal
hatred, vengeance, or vainglory and with proud personal aims. On the contrary,
the less the soldier thinks about himself, and the more he is ready to lay down
his life for others, the closer he approaches to the martyr's crown.
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