The Zealot According to Knowledge

by Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili

Written in commemoration of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the newly-revealed Saint Nectarios of Aegina.

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Our pious lay brothers in Christ should pay special heed to the subject of zeal, to which we have previously made reference, for the Holy Fathers say that a man who does not possess genuine zeal in Christ “never attains to peace of mind," since he forgets that “the beginning of the wisdom of God is forbearance and meekness" (Abba Isaac the Syrian, Discourse 58, “Concerning the harm of foolish zeal...").

It is truly a blessing for one to find a man who bums with longing for the glory of our Lord and the maintenance of His Holy Law; but it is very disheartening if, when we come upon such a blessed soul, he is found in danger of being thwarted therein from the right, by the Evil One, by virtue of an indiscriminate zeal which is “not according to knowledge."

There is perhaps no more unfortunate a man than that zealot for the Divine Law whose zeal is “not according to knowledge"; for, although he may believe that he is working for the Glory of God, and though his conscience may seem at peace, in reality he is transgressing the commandments of Heaven, in violation of the great commandment of love for one's neighbor. In the end, he is a ruinous man, because “destruction comes forth from him and desolation follows in his wake," according to the newly-revealed Saint Nectarios the Wonderworker (see his Know Thyself, pp. 135-136).

Characteristic of the zealot whose zeal is not according to knowledge, according to this same Saint, are “hatred for those of other religions and confessions, envy and persistent anger, violent resistance to the true spirit of Divine law, an unreasonable obstinacy in defending his own views, a passionate zeal for prevailing in all things, the love of glory, quarrels, and contention, and a love of commotion."

This demonic state is indeed diametrically opposed to that Grace-filled and wondrous state of the zealot who is zealous according to knowledge, who has a fervent love for God and his neighbor; is distinguished by his meekness, religious tolerance, and guilelessness; is beneficent and considerate to all; does not sway from virtue; does not hurt his brother; rejoices in the progress of others and is distressed over their misfortunes; and bums with a yearning to spread the Divine Word, that the Faith might be made steadfast, that the world might be made Christian, and that the demonic might be exorcised.

The enlightened zeal in Christ of the truly faithful man graces a fiery heart: but a heart that is also compassionate, a heart that knows that truth separated from love not only does not avail, but thunderously overthrows and tears asunder the unity of the Theanthropic Body of the Church.

Let us beseech the All-Holy Spirit to grant us blessed and holy zeal according to knowledge, that we might be true upbuilders of the Body of Christ; then shall we struggle and pray, not that fire be cast down from Heaven to consume all who do not accept our principles and convictions, but that the Divine Comforter might come and unite us all in His love and in His truth.

 

Translated and reprinted from the Greek periodical ’Άγιος Κυπριανός (St. Cyprian), September-December 1996.

Source: Orthodox Tradition, Vol. XIV, (1997), No. 4 pp. 2-3.