Christ and the World

CHRISTMAS ENCYCLICAL
By Metropolitan Sotirios
Does the modern world need Christ? Do the people living in society today properly understand and appreciate the blessings received from the Christian faith, and the benefits derived from Christian teachings? Let us take a look at some of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the benefits that are extended to us through them.
In the Roman Empire, there were no human rights for women, children, and for slaves. They were regarded as objects and possessions to be used by their owners, and the man who owned them could do as he pleased with them. It was Christ who first taught that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus " (Gal. 3.28).
Today's Western society, which has been nurtured through the centuries in the Christian faith and tradition, gives much emphasis to the importance of human rights. How does this teaching of Christ compare with the fanaticism and the terrorism that is taught in certain other religions?
Christ replaced the Old Testament teaching of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", with the new teaching to "love one another" and to "love your enemies".
When the Judeans were ready to stone the unfortunate woman who was accused of adultery, Christ said: "Let the person who is without sin throw the first stone." Those who were ready to stone her were stopped in their tracks. They threw down their stones, and left embarrassed and in disgrace. However, this punishment of stoning is still practiced today by other faiths for such types of alleged sin, even if it is not the fault of the victim.
Christ taught repentance and forgiveness. Other religions still practice the barbaric act of cutting off the hands of small children, even if they happen to steal food when they are hungry and have nothing to eat. Their teachers who preach this kind of barbarity do not even give them the chance to repent and to correct themselves.
Christ taught the existence of the eternal Kingdom of God and spiritual life after death. In the afterlife, divine justice will be rendered. There will also be forgiveness for those who repented, even if they did so at the last minute, and who asked for forgiveness from God, just as the thief on the cross did. Others teach: "Let us eat and drink now, for tomorrow we die." Others teach that in the afterlife in Paradise, there will be "mountains of rice and 72 virgins for those terrorists who thought that they are martyrs."
Christ is the Messiah, the One who is both God and man. He is the only Redeemer and Saviour of the world. He is our only true God. By His Divine teachings and example, He taught the Truth and transformed the world. It is in reference to Him that historians mark time and speak of human history as "before Christ" and "after Christ".
Unfortunately, some persons who are educated and spiritually nurtured in the Christian faith wish to overturn and distort these teachings of Christ. They go so far as to appropriate and teach as their own, the teachings of Christ. They present themselves as god. They do not respect or believe in Christ, nor His teachings. Without perhaps realizing it, they will bring back to today's and tomorrow's society, the former teaching of "an eye for an eye", and encourage acts of revenge and promote division and strife. This will lead to the practices of the stoning of women; the lack of respect for human rights; the dismemberment of the hands of small children, even for minor offences. They will turn back any progress that has been made in society, so that the law of the jungle will again prevail.
All that I have mentioned above proves beyond any doubt that the world today has a greater need for Christ and His love. There was never a time where the presence of Christ in our midst is so necessary. Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, comes to be born in each of us, and I ask all of us to accept Him in our souls and in our hearts. My prayer is that He brings peace and tranquility to our minds and our souls. May He ease human suffering and pain throughout the world for every person. May He cease injustice and terrorism. May He bring the hope of forgiveness and unending joy in our spiritual life after death. May He always impart to each of us His love and His forgiveness. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year, with Christ reigning in our souls and in our hearts.

With fatherly love and fervent prayers,
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto
Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada