On Heresy in the Last Times and the Courageous Confession of the Faith

Saint Anatole II the Younger of Optina (+1922)

 

 

My child, know that in the last days difficult times will arise, as the Apostle says. And, behold, because of the scarcity of piety, heresies and schisms will appear even in the churches, and, as the Holy Fathers foretold, then on the episcopal thrones and in the monasteries, there will not be men tested and experienced in the spiritual life. For this reason, heresies will spread everywhere and will deceive many. The enemy of the human race will act cunningly so that, if possible, he may draw even the elect into heresy. He will not immediately and crudely reject the dogmas concerning the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, but will begin imperceptibly to distort the teaching of the Church, which was handed down to us by the Holy Fathers from the Holy Spirit. Very few will notice the enemy’s devices and his cunning, namely those who are most experienced in the spiritual life.

Heretics will take control of the Church, everywhere they will appoint their servants, and piety will be neglected. But the Lord will not leave His servants without protection. He said: “By their fruits ye shall know them,” and so you also, by the fruits, that is, by the actions of the heretics, strive to distinguish them from true (genuine) pastors. Those spiritual thieves who plunder the spiritual flock “do not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climb up some other way,” as the Lord said, that is, they will enter in an unlawful manner, violently destroying God’s ordinances. Therefore, the Lord calls them robbers (Jn. 10:1). Truly, their first duty is the persecution of the true pastors, their imprisonment, because without this the flock cannot be plundered. Therefore, my son, when in the Church you see the mockery of the divine order, of the Patristic Tradition, and of the order established by God, know that the heretics have already appeared, though perhaps for a certain time they will conceal their evil belief, or will imperceptibly distort the divine faith, so that they may succeed better, deceiving and beguiling the inexperienced.

They will persecute not only the pastors, but also the servants of God, for the devil who directs heresy cannot endure piety. You will recognize these wolves in sheep’s clothing by their proud disposition, love of power, and love of pleasure. They will be slanderers and traitors, sowing hatred and malice everywhere; for this reason, the Lord said that we shall know them by their fruits. The true servants of God are humble, brother-loving, and obedient to the Church.

The monks will endure great pressures from the heretics, and the monastic life will then be mocked. The monasteries will be scattered, the number of monks will decrease, and those who remain will endure violence. These haters of the monastic life, who have only the appearance of piety, will strive to draw the monks over to their side, promising them protection and worldly goods, while threatening with exile those who do not submit. Because of these threats, the fainthearted will be seized by great despair. If you live to see that time, my son, rejoice, for then the faithful who have no other virtues will receive crowns simply for remaining in the true faith, according to the word of the Lord: “Everyone who confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father Who is in Heaven” (Mt. 10:3).

Fear the Lord, my son, lest you lose the crown prepared for you, lest you be cast away by Christ into outer darkness and eternal torment. Stand courageously in the faith and, if necessary, endure persecutions and other tribulations with joy, for the Lord will be with you… and the holy Martyrs and Confessors will look with joy upon your struggle.

But woe in those days to the monks who have attached themselves to possessions and wealth, and who, because of their love of comfort, are willing to submit to the heretics. They will lull their conscience to sleep, saying: “We shall preserve and save the monastery, and the Lord will forgive us.” Unfortunate and blinded, they do not even think at all that through heresy and the heretics demons will also enter the monastery, and then it will no longer be a holy monastery, but bare walls, from which grace will have departed forever.

But God is greater than the enemy and will never abandon His servants, and there will be true Christians until the end of time, but they will choose solitary and desolate places. Do not fear tribulations, but fear destructive heresy, for it removes grace and separates from Christ. For this reason, Christ commanded that we regard a heretic as a heathen and a publican.

And so, be strengthened, my son, in the grace of Christ Jesus; with joy hasten to the struggle of confession and the endurance of sufferings, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 11:1–3), Who said: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). To Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen.

 

Serbian source:

https://svetosavlje.org/o-jeresi-u-poslednjim-vremenima-i-hrabrom-ispovedanju-vere/