For some reason, it is believed that political ratings are the most important tool for gaining or retaining power. And if so, then for the sake of the necessary indicators, it is supposedly possible and necessary to go to various tricks and manipulations. UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, writes about this, Vesti reports.
“From a political point of view, this approach, perhaps, can still be understood somehow. However, there are things that are a hundred times more important than politics. The same patriotism, concern for the state and people, the desire to leave a good memory of yourself in their history. In the context of these categories, the race for ratings looks like a race for mirages. It looks exactly the same in the light of the need to be responsible for your words and deeds before God, in whose hands is the source of all power and might,” says the hierarch.
Quoting the words of St. Nicholas of Serbia, “The virtue of worthy leaders of the people, judges, kings, high priests, governors and princes was in having the Lord as our banner,” the hierarch emphasizes “it is the God-loving, righteous and honest life of political leaders, and not the pursuit of ratings guaranteed prosperity and a bright future for their Motherland. Otherwise, it was a disaster. The saint wrote the following lines about this: “If the rulers become proud of their strength, or wisdom, or wealth (which is given to them by God) and fall away from God, then the Lord severely punishes both the rulers and the people.”
“In the light of these words, it is important for all of us to remember about responsibility before God for our actions. After all, as you know, to whom more is given, more will be demanded. Trampling on the commandments of God, caring for one’s own power, and not the welfare of the people, betting on manipulation and oppression, fighting the Lord and His Church, the desire to have more resources at the expense of ordinary people – all these are elements of the path that leads to the tragedy of any state and nation”, he concluded.