St. Nikolai Velimirović on the Global Crisis (very relevant today!)

Letter 8. To Priest K.

 

 

You ask me, man of God, about the cause and meaning of the crisis that has come upon us. Who am I that you should ask me about this great mystery? “Speak, if you have something greater than silence,” said St. Gregory the Theologian. And although I find that, at present, silence is higher than every word, yet out of love for you I shall write what I think about this question.

“Crisis” is a Greek word; translated, it means “judgment.”

In Holy Scripture the word “judgment” is used many times. Thus we read from the Psalmist: “Therefore the ungodly shall not rise in the judgment” (Ps. 1:5). Further on again: “I will sing of mercy and judgment unto Thee, O Lord” (Ps. 100:1). The wise King Solomon writes that judgment comes from the Lord to everyone (cf. Prov. 29:26). The Savior Himself said: “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). And the Apostle Peter writes: “The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17).

Replace the word “judgment” with the word “crisis” and read: “I will sing of mercy and crisis,” “from the Lord comes crisis to everyone,” “the Father has committed all crisis unto the Son,” “the time is come that crisis must begin at the house of God.”

Formerly, when some misfortune befell Europeans, they used the word “judgment” instead of the word “crisis.” Now the word “judgment” has been replaced by the word “crisis,” a comprehensible word by a less comprehensible one. A drought would come, and they would say: “God’s judgment!” A flood—“God’s judgment!” A war or an epidemic would begin—“God’s judgment!” Earthquakes, locusts, other calamities—always the same: “God’s judgment!” Thus, a crisis because of drought, a crisis because of flooding, because of wars and epidemics. And the people regard the present financial and economic catastrophe as a judgment of God, but call it not “judgment,” but “crisis.” So that the calamity might be increased by lack of understanding! For as long as the comprehensible word “judgment” was spoken, the cause that had brought about the calamity was also understood; the Judge Who had permitted the calamity was known, as was the purpose for which the calamity had been permitted. After the substitution of the word “judgment” with the word “crisis,” which is little understood by the majority, no one can explain either what it comes from, from whom it comes, or for what purpose. Only in this does the present crisis differ from a crisis caused by drought and flooding, war or epidemic, locusts or some other affliction.

You ask about the cause of the present crisis, or of God’s judgment?

The cause is always the same. The cause of all droughts, floods, epidemics, and other calamities is the same as that of the present crisis—apostasy from God. The sin of apostasy brought about this crisis as well, and the Lord permitted it in order to awaken people, to sober them, so that they might come to their senses and return to Him. As the sins, so the crisis. Indeed, the Lord used modern means to bring modern people to their senses: He struck the banks, the stock exchanges, the entire financial system. He overturned the tables of the money changers throughout the whole world, just as He once did in the Temple at Jerusalem. He caused an unprecedented panic among merchants and money changers.

He disturbed, overthrew, confounded, threw into confusion, and instilled fear. And all this so that the proud European and American wise men might awaken, come to their senses, and remember God. So that they, having established themselves in the harbor of material prosperity, might remember their souls, acknowledge their iniquities, and worship God Most High, the living God.

How long will the crisis last? Until the proud culprits acknowledge the victory of the Almighty. Until people think to translate the incomprehensible word “crisis” into their native language and, with a sigh of repentance, cry out: “God’s judgment!”

You too, reverend Father, call the “crisis” “God’s judgment,” and everything will be clear to you.

Greetings to you, and peace from the Lord!

 

Russian source: Миссионерские письма [Missionary Letters], published by Moscow Representation of the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Lavra, 2005.