Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church greets participants in the 19th International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality in Bose Monastery

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent the following greetings to the organizers and participants in the19^th International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality, “The Word of God in Spiritual Life,” taking place in the Monastery of Bose, Italy, on 7-19 September 2011:

Very reverend Father Enzo Bianchi,

Dear organizers and participants in the Conference:

I cordially greet the organizers, participants and guests of the 19^th International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality sponsored by the Bose monastic community to discuss The Word of God in the Spiritual Life.

The themes to be discussed this year prompt us to think upon the foundations of Christian life: what nourishes human soul, strengthens it in faith and opens the way to the knowledge of God; and we turn to the Holy Scriptures.

The Church lives and breaths by the Word of God not only because the reading from the Old and New Testaments is an important part of divine services, but also because our common prayer is imbued with the Divine words, which instruct us for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Tim 3:15). However, the Holy Fathers teach us that studying the Scriptures is not a sufficient condition for its correct interpretation. St. John Chrysostom, a great Doctor of the Church, said that one needs the revelation of the Spirit, rather than human wisdom, to have a great benefit from the true sense of what has been written. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that the Holy Scriptures open our mind for the understanding of divine laws, heals the soul and regenerates human heart.

One should remember that the knowledge of the Word of God is contained not only in its constant and intent study. The Holy Fathers were deeply convinced that the reading of the Holy Scriptures must be sustained by keeping the commandments of the Lord and by following the way of Christ. The Lives of St. Anthony the Great, St. Augustine, St. Philipp of Moscow and of many other saints show us how listening to and keeping of the Word of God transformed their life and led to them to the acquirement of sanctity.

I hope that the Conference will contribute to more profound understanding of this important and topical subject.

I wish blessed success to all the organizers and participants of the Conference in their work.

With love in the Lord,

+ KIRILL

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

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Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church greets participants in the 19th International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality in Bose Monastery

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons