JOY OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. ARCHPRIEST SERGIY BARANOV

Yesterday, we had a talk. It was not on purpose; we just involuntarily compared Greek monasticism to Russian, and Georgian to Russian as well. In the result, we found a little contrast, but it is natural. Now I am not saying this in order to empathize with one or another aspect or to be flat about something. As a matter of fact, I keep reminding myself that flatness always speaks of an unhealthy spiritual state – when people defend only their own philosophy of life, thinking there are no others. That is why I am making a note now to specify that I do not compare. I just want you to be flexible and know that there are different traditions, characters, and spirit. Provided that we had one main thing – love – and no dogmatic contradictions. So, when we discussed the issue yesterday, we unintentionally came to realize that in Greek monasticism, they allow themselves happiness. While in Russian monasticism, everything is kind of stiff, strict, and sometimes even grumpy. And I tell you once