• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Dealing with those who treat us unjustly

Jun 25, 2020 | 17:56
in Opinions
Dealing with those who treat us unjustly

One great challenge in our efforts to lead Christian lives is how we treat those around us. Often we find that one of our fellows annoys us, acts unjustly or unfairly to us, and in many cases for no apparent reason. This can create unrest, a lack of peace within us, and sometimes even a sense of insecurity or sadness, dwelling on the fact our classmate or neighbour does not like or respect us.

In the Gospel we are strongly reminded to ‘first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift’ before the altar. (Matt 5:24) In the coming weeks we hope to have the opportunity to return to our churches, so let us prepare appropriately in reconciling with those around us before gathering in church as members of Christ’s body.

Saint Porphyrios gives us relevant advice on this matter by offering this short story:

“…you are walking quietly on your way and see your brother walking in front of you, also quietly, when at one point a crook jumps out in front of him from a side road and attacks him. He beats him, pulls his hair, wounds him and throws him down bleeding. Faced with a scene like that would you be angry with your brother or would you feel sorry for him?
How could I possibly be angry with my wounded brother, who fell victim to the criminal? The thought doesn’t even cross my mind. Of course I would feel sorry for him and I would try to help him as much as I could.
In the same way. . .everyone who insults you, who hurts you, who slanders you, who does you an injustice in any way whatsoever is a brother of yours who has fallen into the hands of the criminal…the evil one. When you notice that your brother does you an injustice what should you do? You must feel very sorry for him, commiserate with him and entreat God warmly and silently both, to support you in that difficult time of trial, and to have mercy on your brother.”

Dear friends, as Christians, we are always called to be understanding and show compassion on those who do wrong to us, in order for God to then take pity on, and forgive our own sins and mistakes. This is of course a daily struggle and a commitment for life. Christianity requires struggle; a struggle against our ego, against any barriers that separate us from our neighbours and from our Creator God. Let us follow the footsteps of our Saints, who lit the path toward Him Who is the source of light, and the Sun of righteousness, our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the British Isles we find astonishing examples of local saints who gave up everything ‘immediately’ (Matt 4:20) for the preaching of the Gospel and for the building up of Christ’s church and mission in these lands. Saint Ninian is such an example, who brought Christianity to Southern Scotland. After studying in Rome and visiting Gaul (in particular St Martin’s monastery in Tours), he returned to his homeland, in the south of Scotland, and, following St Martin’s example, founded a monastery and missionary centre, and as Bishop of Whithorn converted many to Christ.

We may not be called to build monasteries or convert many by our preaching. However, we can break the barriers of our ego and build up, within us, compassion, our understanding and our love for others, mirroring the unconditional love God has for all of His creation. This alone is a Christ-like mission and calling.

Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, weekly meditation

Tags: Opinions

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

What do the Russians want in the Orthodox strongholds
Opinions

What do the Russians want in the Orthodox strongholds

June 10, 2025
Bishop of Melitene: Sunday of Holy Pentecost
Opinions

Bishop of Melitene: Sunday of Holy Pentecost

June 8, 2025
The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Sinai and the Challenges of a “Neutral” Declaration: Legal and Canonical Dimensions
Opinions

The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Sinai and the Challenges of a “Neutral” Declaration: Legal and Canonical Dimensions

June 6, 2025
Sinai Monastery: Ecclesiastical status, international protection, and challenges of modern legal landscape
Opinions

Sinai Monastery: Ecclesiastical status, international protection, and challenges of modern legal landscape

June 3, 2025
How autonomous is the Church of Crete?
Opinions

How autonomous is the Church of Crete?

June 1, 2025
Proposals to restore Eucharistic unity with Ecumenical Patriarchate not supported at UOC meeting
Opinions

Proposals to restore Eucharistic unity with Ecumenical Patriarchate not supported at UOC meeting

June 1, 2025
Load More
Next Post
Greek Minister of Culture to UNESCO Member States: Hagia Sophia should not be converted into a mosque

Greek Minister of Culture to UNESCO Member States: Hagia Sophia should not be converted into a mosque

Latest News

Archbishop of Australia met with the Minister of Tourism of Greece

Archbishop of Australia met with the Minister of Tourism of Greece

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 09:10
0

On Wednesday, 11 June, Archbishop Makarios of Australia, visited the Minister of Tourism of Greece, Olga Kefalogianni, with whom...

Metropolitan of Derkoi: May Holy Spirit strengthen Church for reopening of Theological School of Halki

Metropolitan of Derkoi: May Holy Spirit strengthen Church for reopening of Theological School of Halki

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 07:00
0

On June 9, 2025, the Feast of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Holy Patriarchal...

Patriarch of Romania honors employees at Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre

Patriarch of Romania honors employees at Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 06:45
0

On the feast of the Holy Trinity, which is also the patronal celebration of the Basilica Media Centre of...

Archimandrite Ioane (Vachtang Jishkariani) reposed in the Lord

Archimandrite Ioane (Vachtang Jishkariani) reposed in the Lord

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 06:30
0

Archimandrite Ioane (Vachtang Jishkariani) of the Patriarchate of Georgia has peacefully reposed in the Lord. Born in Sokhumi, he...

Archbishop of America attends Metropolis of Atlanta’s 2025 Clergy-Laity Assembly

Archbishop of America attends Metropolis of Atlanta’s 2025 Clergy-Laity Assembly

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 06:10
0

Yesterday, June 11, 2025, the Metropolis of Atlanta's 2025 Clergy-Laity Assembly & Philoptochos Conference opened with a Welcome Gathering...

Orthodox in Syria call on Archbishop of Athens to protect Christians in the country

Archbishop of Athens celebrates Name Day on June 15th

by NewsRoom
Jun 13, 2025 | 06:00
0

On June 15th, the day dedicated to the memory of Saint Ieronymos the Polyglot, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

Terms Of Use

© 2025 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT