Message of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all Russia to the participants in the 7th World Russian People’s Council (Moscow, 16-17 December 2002)

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 7^th WORLD RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S COUNCIL
(Moscow, 16-17 December 2002)

Esteemed heads and representatives of the agencies of state authority and communities of traditional religions! Right Reverend archpastors, ladies and gentlemen, beloved in the Lord fathers, brothers and sisters!

The theme of the present Council concerns the most important spheres of human life: labour, economy and ethics. It is not fortuitous that St.Clement of Alexandria called labour ‘the school of social justice’. The ability to create and be active in the spiritual sphere and to be faithful to moral norms in all acts is the most important indication of the human person’s likeness to God.

The commandment to work was one of the first given to our forefathers in Paradise. Our Lord Jesus Christ has also given us an example of work. Being a carpenter, he helped his earthly family. The Orthodox Church gives its blessing to all kind of labour aimed at service towards neighbour and in line with Christian moral standards. Such human activity is a co-working with the Lord and promotes His design for the world and man.

Unfortunately, at present the hierarchy of social values is often determined by the principle of everyday benefit, while indifference to the spiritual state of the human person is increasing. Economic processes are sometimes accompanied by a profound moral crisis, while moral standards are forgotten and even abandoned. One cannot but notice the growth of consumerist tendencies, which give rise to egoism, heartlessness, injustice and cruelty.

The Holy Church supports people and the authorities in all good works and at the same time calls upon them to organize life on the foundation of truth, goodness and charity. The Church is not indifferent to economic processes, which exert a direct influence on millions of people.

The defeat of sinful preoccupations which dominate in the economic sphere should be considered a most important cause. It is vitally necessary for Russia to revive work and business ethics, orientation towards creative productive labour and help to one’s neighbour, especially to those who are not capable of earning their daily bread. According to St.Paul, ‘by toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. St.Basil the Great wrote that the purpose of all those who work should not be the gratification of his own needs but service to those who are in need. If this attitude prevails in taking important economic decisions, we shall be able to successfully develop our national economy for the good of all the citizens of our country.

I am convinced that the future belongs to the ideals of just and highly moral society, and the present Council will help to comprehend it. I wish the 7^th World Russian People’s Council success in its work. May the All-Merciful Lord grant you His ineffable wisdom and strengthen you by the spirit of love, peace and like-mindedness.