The head of the Russian Orthodox Church believes that it is better for clergy who blog on the Internet to collect likes to either completely leave the virtual space or leave the church. Because a priest-blogger should first of all preach about Christ, and not indulge his vanity with the reactions of subscribers.
The patriarch said that for a priest, the Internet is not a place where he signs for his intellectual abilities and not a place where he makes an impression. And not even a place where the priest collects likes. The words of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church were quoted by TASS.
Dependent on social networks and blogs, he advised to leave the Internet. Or from service. Patriarch Kirill urged such people to “take off the cross and say: I am resigning, I am completely devoting myself to this element.” It’s true, it’s a sin, but at least it’s fair.
If there are priests on the Internet, they should perceive themselves there solely in order to contribute to the salvation of human souls.
Not all priests behave badly on the Internet, the patriarch believes. There are also successful examples of the work of church ministers in the network. And it happens that the image of a clergyman in a blog turns out to be too far from the ideal that has developed in the cultural tradition of our people. And this is bad, first of all, for the ministers themselves, because it destroys their personality.
The church is fighting not only with the mismanagement of social networks, but also with abortion. Earlier, the Russian Orthodox Church proposed to introduce criminal penalties for inducing a woman to have an abortion. And also toughen the responsibility for those who carry out illegal procedures for artificial termination of pregnancy.
