Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia answers questions by the Russky Predprinimatel magazine. (Russky Predprinimatel, №4, November 2002)

“BUSINESSMAN IS CALLED TO SERVE HIS NEIGHBORS”
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia answers questions by the Russky Predprinimatel magazine
(Russky Predprinimatel, №4, November 2002)

– Is it easy for a person, who intends to stand firm in the faith of his forefathers, and wishes to live in good conscience and the Orthodox faith, to be a businessman in today’s Russia?

– The Orthodox faith places certain moral restrictions on everyone’s activity. To live in good conscience is sometimes a difficult challenge but a person who has chosen the right path and sees himself both as an Orthodox Christian and a businessman, will obtain greater benefit after all than the one who seeks profit by all means. The future is with honest and responsible people who do not forget in their work that they are responsible both for their actions and their neighbor’s good.

The moral atmosphere in the business community has improved now and many businessmen have started taking ethic norms seriously. It makes me happy and hopeful. I would like to emphasize once again: only that person who makes business without destroying the soul of his own and those around him will have sure success.

– What spiritual efforts should a businessman make to save his soul from sin?

– There is no specific Orthodox ethics for businessmen, which would differ from that for scientists, drivers or farmers. Once a rich youth came to Christ asking him how he could be saved. Jesus replied: “Keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17).

Indeed, it is impossible to go on the way of salvation without keeping the Law of God. One cannot walk in this way without making unflagging efforts – every day and every hour. This sort of spiritual work is equally important both for a simple worker and a high-ranking financier or production manager.

On the other hand, business activity and professional relations cannot be considered apart from the spiritual and moral context, though personal ethics certainly remains the core of Christian morality. One cannot be a Christian only in the church or at home and live a different life and following other, non-Christian principles, outside them.

It is trendy today to speak that faith is a private and “intimate” affair. However, if we do not confirm our faith through works, it will be hollow and barren. “Faith is barren apart from works,” St. James says (2:20). May your work be a continuation of your faith.

– When and under which conditions does the Orthodox Church bless business undertakings? What is the social and spiritual mission of the Russian businessman today?

– God blesses every work if it does people good. The businessman’s work is no exception. However, we should remember that the modern world has given rise to an industry aimed at exploiting such vices as drug addiction, alcoholism and lechery. The Church bears witness to the depravity of these occupations for they corrupt both those involved in this sphere and consumers of such “services.” The dealers of the “industry of vice” take the most grievous sin upon their souls. At no time and under no conditions the Church can bless their activity. Quite the contrary, she urges people to think better of it and repent.

An enormous responsibility lies with Russian businessmen today. It depends on them to a great extent how we will live and whether or not we will have enough strength and means to secure a worthy future for our land.

The Church calls upon society to ensure just distribution of labor results and at the same time urges it to give support for those in need and protect the voiceless and helpless. Too many people have found themselves on the margin of life in the modern world, and it is not through their guilt. “Labor, doing honest work with your hands, so that you may be able to give those in need,” St. Paul says (Eph 4:28).

– Your Holiness, what can businessmen do to change the atmosphere in the Russian business community towards patriotism and responsibility for the homeland?

– Today we should focus on changing our attitude to the homeland as a whole rather than on changing views of particular social groups, including the business community. The Orthodox patriotism should not be just words and slogans but a basis for real works and true concern for improving people’s life.

The patriotic spirit of society depends very much on social orientation of business. Businessmen, who are the most energetic and prosperous part of the nation, should set a good example of charity and support for those in need. It will help ease the tension and strengthen the authority of the government and business circles themselves. The rich are called to support the poor, the healthy – the sick and the able-bodied – the aged. When an ordinary person feels protected at present, when he is sure of a calm and worthy future, our state will be just and harmonious, and people will be proud of being Russian citizens.

– Your Holiness, can you say that mentality and spiritual aspirations of businessmen have somewhat changed as compared to the nineties? Do you feel that they have made progress in faith, church life and in appropriating spiritual values?

– Of course, there is a certain progress. Many of them are deeply religious people now and comply with church prescriptions in their everyday life. It is gratifying to see that many well-to-do people, who belong to the so-called business elite, try their best to support the Church in reviving the homeland, make donations to the building and restoration of churches and monasteries, and do works of charity.

One should always bear in mind the words of the Savior: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). In the past many Russian businessmen were notable for their generous philanthropy and a just treatment of workers as they were deeply devout people. I am confident that our national economy will not revive unless the business community will regard the service to the neighbors, especially through an active support of the church social programs, as one of its priorities.

– Your Holiness, recently it has been fashionable to speak about the so-called “Protestant ethics” in business. What is the opinion of the Russian Orthodox Church on business ethics? What is the difference between Orthodoxy and other confessions concerning this problem?

– Economic activity should not stand apart from eternal moral laws. Every businessman ought to follow this ethics if he is a true Christian, regardless of his confession. Frequently, the lure of business success and material comforts leads to a seeming personal triumph of a person, while his soul becomes more and more estranged from the Creator. These aspirations are generally associated with notorious Max Weber’s “Protestant ethics”, which is, by the way, mostly rejected by modern Protestants.

From the Christian point of view, business, like any other work, is not an absolute value in itself. It is a value if it is co-work with the Lord and is in line with the Divine design for the world and man. If this activity serves one’s egoistic interests and is aimed at satisfying the sinful needs of one’s spirit and flesh, it is essentially destructive, even if it brings temporary earthly comforts.

The Russian Orthodox Church expressed her position on this issue particularly in the Basic Social Concept adopted by the Jubilee Bishops’ Council in 2000. The document states that economic ethics should be based on two underlying principles that material wealth in itself fails to make man happy, and that there are moral incentives for economic activity, i.e. work to earn one’s living without burdening others and work to give to those in need.

Business should not be confined to a rush for wealth, which makes a baneful effect on one’s spiritual state and can lead to one’s moral degradation. Our Lord Jesus Christ warns: “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk 12:15).

– Please, Your Holiness, say a word of exhortation for the Russky Predprinimatel magazine, our readers and the whole business community.

– I joyfully watch the successful work of the magazine’s editorial staff and journalists. I hope that it will be high on the list of the leading social and economic periodicals published in Russia.

May the All-Mighty Lord bless the staff and the readers of the magazine. I wish all of you peace, joy and success in good deeds. May your work contribute to the worthy future of our homeland.

See also:

His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia