The Final Judgment and the Judges

Metropolitan Gregory of Thessaloniki | February 21, 2025

The first weeks of the penitential Triodion prepare us to enter Great Lent. The first Sunday of the Triodion, with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, focuses on the proper way to pray. That is, it teaches us that our personal prayer must be centered on our own repentance, not on the faults of those around us. The second week, with the parable of the Prodigal Son, offers an example of sincere repentance—that of the prodigal son—but also of paternal acceptance, represented by the father’s embrace. The third week describes the Final Judgment. What is striking in the Gospel passage is that God’s ultimate judgment of man is based on the relationship of man with his fellow human beings.

In this relationship, a principle of proportionality is observed. That is, to the extent that a person recognizes the real need of their fellow human being and stands by them to help with love and sincerity, without self-interest or ulterior motives, to that same extent, God grants them salvation in return. Both the category of people who see their fellow human beings and the category of those who do not ask exactly the same question at the moment of Judgment before God: “Lord, when did we see You hungry, thirsty, naked…?” Indeed, it is reasonable that both groups, upon encountering God, would ask the same question. The difference, however, lies in one single point: Each group, in their relationship with others, focuses in a different way. The first group focuses on the real needs of their neighbor, while the second is concerned only with their personal, individual interest.

A person, in their daily life, experiences either their salvation or their condemnation. The one who responds to the real need of their neighbor is the one who truly imitates Christ, walks the path of Golgotha, and is crucified alongside Him. A person who focuses only on themselves, because they fail to understand others, easily judges them. The reason someone takes the position of a judge over their fellow human being is not because they are worthy of it, but because they need to. In doing so, they attempt to conceal their own shortcomings, sins, and even serious wrongdoings. Judgment is not merely an evaluation, but in essence, it is slander. Thus, the accuser redirects people's attention to the one being slandered, so that his own actions remain unseen. Such a person cannot tolerate seeing someone greater than themselves and feels inferior—which is why they try, by any means, especially through slander, to diminish and discredit that person.

If this occurs between ordinary people, the issue becomes apparent within their social environment and the context in which they live. However, if this happens between individuals with public influence, those in positions of responsibility in society, or clergy, then the matter affects the entire social fabric. Any issue cannot be resolved through publications or online posts, but rather through personal dialogue. Peace is achieved when at least two people meet face to face. It is impossible for someone hiding behind a screen and a keyboard to carry out pastoral work, interpret canons, or express true love. Pastoral ministry is carried out by those who sacrifice themselves in service to the Church, who stand beside their fellow human beings in their real struggles, and who dare to engage in sincere and loving discussions about whatever difficulties they truly face.

Therefore, addressing problems through the isolation of the keyboard and the impersonal communication of social media reveals a lack of love, an inability to build human relationships, and a failure to understand the real issue. It is unacceptable for someone to avoid facing another person directly, yet at the same time attempt to interpret canons. One cannot presume to instruct others, especially in a disrespectful manner, not only the faithful but also higher-ranking figures such as Hierarchs, on how to read or interpret the Holy Canons, and then label this behavior as modesty, morality, and confession of faith!

Any problem is resolved through God's grace and heartfelt love. Degrees, doctorates, and academic titles are certifications of knowledge and information, yet they do not constitute life skills. Pastoral challenges require—above all—skill, combined with a pure heart and sincere love. Degrees are important and can further assist a person who already possesses skills. However, a person without skills, no matter how many degrees they hold, will not benefit from them at all. It is like someone presenting a language certificate that claims they are proficient, yet in reality, they do not speak the language. It is similar to a migrant speaking a local language they have just begun learning, while at the same time showing their certificate of fluency to native speakers, yet the locals still do not understand them.

The same applies to the theological language. Someone who lacks the ability to communicate even at a basic human and Christian level, no matter how many degrees they display, ridicules themselves by posing behind a keyboard next to their diplomas. The individuals who introduced heresies and false doctrines into the Church were always educated, socially esteemed, and skilled in persuading the masses. Yet, history has recorded them as persecutors and adversaries, and the Church has cast them out. On the other hand, those with pure hearts, endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the skills granted by Him, made history, and the Church elevated them—whether they had academic education and degrees or not.

A person—even if they are a clergyman—who cannot connect with their fellow human beings and is enchanted by their own reflection in the mirror of their diplomas, will inevitably fall into the error of slander. Slander is not their goal, but a means of survival. The one who consciously slanders has a purpose, a strategy, and a hidden agenda. On the other hand, the one who unconsciously slanders has no strategy, yet they cause greater harm with ease, as they repeat their wrongdoing effortlessly, since their error is unconscious. Nevertheless, slander produces the same effects, whether it is carried out intentionally or not.

Therefore, the right way to address a problem is through direct engagement, with dialogue, sincerity, and love. Then, God’s grace will illuminate the paths of the soul for every well-intentioned person who seeks the truth and views the problem as an opportunity for human encounter, rather than as a platform for spreading slander and destroying souls.

Judgment belongs to God, not to men. What belongs to man are his mistakes and the little time he has left in this fleeting life to correct them.

 

Greek source: https://imthes.gr/index.php/88-%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CE%BD%CE%AD%CE%B1/626-%E1%BC%A1-%CE%BC%CE%AD%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CE%B1%E1%BD%B6-%CE%BF%E1%BC%B1-%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%82