|
Interview
with the First Hierach, from Church Word, Australia
Interview of the First Hierarch in the Australian periodical
Tserkovnoye slovo (Church Word)
The following interview was given by His Eminence Metropolitan
Laurus to the journal of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese,
Tserkovnoye slovo (Church Word), in Melbourne in July 2002,
immediately following the Xth All-Diaspora Youth Conference
in Sydney.
- Dear Vladyka, is this your first trip to Australia?
-This is my first visit as the First Hierarch of the Russian
Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, but I have already visited
Australia twice before. I last came during our summertime,
so it was as cold as it is now—Melbourne weather doesn’t
spoil you, but I am warmed not so much by my clothing as by
the love and warm greetings of the parishioners.
-The All-Diaspora Orthodox Youth Conference in Sydney was
held in the Russian language to the extent possible. What
is your opinion, is the preservation of the Church-Slavonic
language for services and of the Russian language in everyday
life necessary for us? Or shoud we use the English language
for the sake of attracting young people who often don’t
understand these languages?
Of course, it would be remarkable if young people supported
our legacy and knew both the Church Slavonic and Russian languages,
but in order to carry the word of God, it is not important
what language is used—Russian, English, French…It
is important to reach peoples’ hearts, especially those
of young people.
-Your election as the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia was accompanied by some troubles.
Did you feel during this difficult time the support of your
flock?
Yes, of course. Prayerful support was constantly felt. Maybe
it was thanks to these prayers that some parishes have already
returned to the bosom of our Church. This gladdens us and
gives hope that, everything, God willing, will be alright.
-What do you take note of most of all in our Australian Diocese?
It is pleasing that one sees many young people in the churches—they
sing in the choir, and serve in the altar. I especially remember
an altar boy, Seryozha, about ten years old, and a remarkable
piety was seen in this boy. The multitude of young people
in the churches of Sydney could be explained by the All-Diaspora
Orthodox Youth Conference, but in Melbourne I saw no fewer
young people in the churches…this is very heartening.
-What would you wish our readers?
First of all, to remember their spiritual nourishment. None
of us forgets to feed our bodies three times a day, but food
for the soul is so much more necessary. But do we think about
this enough, and do enough about it? Prayer, reading the Gospel,
spiritual literature is the food for your souls, do not forget
this.
Church Word, No. 7-8, 2002
|
