[timmybrown]

Dear Sister Rose,

As you know, the Orthodox mindset refers to the mindset of Christ alone, and is based on Scriptural (OT&NT) instruction. The Saints of our Church also provide teachings and examples for us to live by, since it is in them that we see the fruit of Christ's bessings and the reflection of God's light.

In 2 Timothy 4:2 St Paul instructs Timothy and exhorts the faithful Church:
"Preach the word; be insistant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

Jesus would many a time, rebuke, correct and exhort his own people. St Paul likewise did this to the Greeks and Gentiles.

Unfortunately society has many pressures which many of us are unaware of and which may intimidate us and fill us with fears and complexes and passions. Sometimes it's better to talk about these, however other times (as our spiritual fathers teach us) we ought to keep silent.

I wish and pray that the world would realise that we are all one family under God. There is no higher or lower, we are all imperfect human beings. I admit a true Orthodox Christian who has aquired a higher level of humility and spirituality would be completely humble and not respond to anyone's criticism nor would he or she be offended by being corrected. As you know.

May Christ and Mary of the pure Unfading Mystical Rose (Rodod to Amaranton) guide us and teach us to live as citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom of God.

IN HUMILITY,

KOSMAS