August 23, 2010
Solovki Stravropegic Monastery
At the meal following Divine Services, His Holiness addressed the hierarchs and clergy who accompanied him during his visit to Solovki, the brothers of the monastery, and honored guests.
His Holiness expressed his joy that two bishops were consecrated during his Patriarchal visit, and that these were two pastors who sought no honor, but rather gave their whole lives to "humble, little noticed but sincere service to the Lord."
In the words of His Holiness, "There is something to think about" in the fact that to the hierarchical hosts have been added such people as Archimandrite Panteleimon (Shatov)—a pious pastor, who before receiving the monastic tonsure bore his obedience as a parish priest for many years, raising four daughters; and Archimandrite Benjamin (Likhomanov)—a "monk and spiritual father, a modest, educated man who never boasted of his education, and humbly served wherever he was sent."
"The most disgusting thing in the Church is monastic careerism," the Patriarch said. "I feel that these two consecrations, which were performed on Solovki, are a clear signal to all of our monks whose heads are spinning over bishoprics, and who think that life is over if they are not archimandrites by age thirty."
"Any unhealthy careerism in the Church is something that needs to be uprooted, and with God's help, we will be working on this," said His Holiness. "And I would like to warn all those who want very much to become bishops: the Patriarch sees this, and you are not likely to become bishops. The bishops will be those who have not gone after this."
His Holiness noted that Fr. Panteleimon's consecration was supposed to take place on August 10 in the Novodevichy Monastery, but Moscow was filled with smoke at the time from the forest fires, and His Holiness cancelled the service to avoid possible injury to the health of a potentially large congregation. He called Fr. Panteleimon and told him that the consecration will be postponed. "He answered me humbly, 'Perhaps it could be cancelled altogether?'" related the Patriarch. "Thank you, Vladyka Panteleimon, for these words. They warmed my soul."
"I think that we must look at a bishopric like this: if the lot has fallen to you, receive it; if it does not, then do what you are doing," added the Patriarch. After all, we shall all stand before God not in order of our hierarchical rank, not according to the number of our pectoral crosses, and not according to whether you served in a mitre or in a kamilavka. Perhaps the Patriarch will stand behind the wash woman, and will look into her eyes, saying, "Marya Ivanovna, pray for me…"
"We should remember clearly that our Church career is a relative thing, not having any direct connection with our salvation," the Patriarch reminded the gathering. "God gives you strength and understanding, and turns the attention of the Church's concilliar wisdom upon you, be you a bishop, a metropolitan, or a Patriarch. You need to be in the place where you have your obedience. Perform it with boldness, prayer, and love."
