We often equate violence with religion, most wars are started over religious conflicts. The war in Czechoslovakia (what is now Bosnia and Serbia) wasn't about race, it was about religion. Most genocide is caused by religious differences. From the Crusades, the Inquisition, to the Gulf War, the main cause is always rooted in religious differences.
The Ukraine adds their hat to the list of conflicts in the world today. While this conflict is a little different. The protesters are anti-government, and in the case of most soviet based countries, religion usually isn't running the government. In fact, in most countries of the former Soviet Union, religion plays little part in the daily lives or politics of the countries (with the exception of the Muslim based countries). This image of an Eastern Orthodox priest standing between the lines of protesters and riot police was stunning. Especially with a person kneeling in front of him, maybe asking for absolution or prayers for peace.
When I saw this image I thought about being raised in the Eastern Orthodox church and remembering how Communism had taken religion out of the lives of people living in the Soviet Union. Our priest was Russian and he would talk about the plight of underground churches and how so many people were trying to keep their religion alive even though it could mean jail or death. People would hold Eucharist in basements with candle light trying to not raise suspicion, others would do bible studies in remote areas or places where police wouldn't think they would hold religions meetings. And while religion in general lost a lot of followers, the former Tzar was bound to his religion and when the Revolution came it attacked not only the upper classes but the wealthy churches as well. Communism leaves no room for religion. So the few who held onto their faith, regardless of their religion beliefs, continued to worship in ways they could, even if in silence in their hearts and heads.
So when I saw this picture, it was stunning to me. To imagine that less than half my lifetime ago (yes, I am that old) this priest would have been shot for just doing what he was doing, for even wearing his sacramental robes. Now, he is putting himself in the line of fire, attempting to stop the fighting or at least ost. He is using himself as a shield to prevent bullets from killing maybe one or more people. He is not picking sides, the priests are ministering to both sides and praying with both sides. They are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, staying out of the politics and trying to prevent death and pain while offering comfort to the sick and dying. They are praying for both sides to talk and come to peaceful agreements. They are ministering to the fearful and the sad.
It is a horrific thing to put yourself between people who want to kill each other, and are well equipped to do so. But it is also the most beautiful thing a person can do. To live up to the vow one made to uphold the laws of God. To love ourselves as God loves us and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How can anyone question these priests' devotion or faith?
And there is another miracle taking place in this protest. It isn't just Russian and Eastern Orthodox priests standing between these groups bent on annihilation of the other, but there are other denominations as well. Russian Catholics, Islamic, and Protestant church leaders are also standing in a peaceful way admist the death and brutality of this clash. They are banding together to attempt to use the power of prayer and peace to stop more death. After all, these religions have all seen the results of their country when religion was banned. They risked their lives for their religious beliefs and now are once again risking their lives for what they believe in, peace.
What better picture of faith could there be?
The Ukraine adds their hat to the list of conflicts in the world today. While this conflict is a little different. The protesters are anti-government, and in the case of most soviet based countries, religion usually isn't running the government. In fact, in most countries of the former Soviet Union, religion plays little part in the daily lives or politics of the countries (with the exception of the Muslim based countries). This image of an Eastern Orthodox priest standing between the lines of protesters and riot police was stunning. Especially with a person kneeling in front of him, maybe asking for absolution or prayers for peace.
When I saw this image I thought about being raised in the Eastern Orthodox church and remembering how Communism had taken religion out of the lives of people living in the Soviet Union. Our priest was Russian and he would talk about the plight of underground churches and how so many people were trying to keep their religion alive even though it could mean jail or death. People would hold Eucharist in basements with candle light trying to not raise suspicion, others would do bible studies in remote areas or places where police wouldn't think they would hold religions meetings. And while religion in general lost a lot of followers, the former Tzar was bound to his religion and when the Revolution came it attacked not only the upper classes but the wealthy churches as well. Communism leaves no room for religion. So the few who held onto their faith, regardless of their religion beliefs, continued to worship in ways they could, even if in silence in their hearts and heads.
So when I saw this picture, it was stunning to me. To imagine that less than half my lifetime ago (yes, I am that old) this priest would have been shot for just doing what he was doing, for even wearing his sacramental robes. Now, he is putting himself in the line of fire, attempting to stop the fighting or at least ost. He is using himself as a shield to prevent bullets from killing maybe one or more people. He is not picking sides, the priests are ministering to both sides and praying with both sides. They are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, staying out of the politics and trying to prevent death and pain while offering comfort to the sick and dying. They are praying for both sides to talk and come to peaceful agreements. They are ministering to the fearful and the sad.
It is a horrific thing to put yourself between people who want to kill each other, and are well equipped to do so. But it is also the most beautiful thing a person can do. To live up to the vow one made to uphold the laws of God. To love ourselves as God loves us and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How can anyone question these priests' devotion or faith?
And there is another miracle taking place in this protest. It isn't just Russian and Eastern Orthodox priests standing between these groups bent on annihilation of the other, but there are other denominations as well. Russian Catholics, Islamic, and Protestant church leaders are also standing in a peaceful way admist the death and brutality of this clash. They are banding together to attempt to use the power of prayer and peace to stop more death. After all, these religions have all seen the results of their country when religion was banned. They risked their lives for their religious beliefs and now are once again risking their lives for what they believe in, peace.
What better picture of faith could there be?