The following essay was originally delivered as part of the 2017 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, an annual youth event hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). When no political party represents genuine Christian teaching, how does an Orthodox Christian navigate political conversations and make political judgments?
A political party that represents genuine Orthodox teachings does exist–it exists in the true nature of humanity, instilled in each of our hearts by the breath of life, and the Word of God–we must rediscover it in the face of our neighbor. Throughout the course of history the Orthodox Church has served as a vessel of hope amidst the raging waters of the fallen world, never ceasing to revert our course back to Christ and our true nature. This is our political party, it is not Republican or Democrat, but a way of life that fulfills the message of Christ. We are the greatest threat, and the greatest hope that our modern world faces. Will we prove to be His faithful servants–the examples that our world so desperately needs? Continue Reading…