ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS’ recent comments on foreigners in Cyprus have shocked many people. “We cannot have all kinds of seeds here” he is quoted as saying. Surely he is aware that ethnocentrism, regardless of whether it is based on historical grudges or on the erroneous teachings of men, is wholly contrary to God’s word. We are very clearly commanded to love one another (John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”), and such a command precludes ANY discrimination based on race or culture.
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
The Archbishop is right that “some truths, no matter how bitter, need to be said”.
He says he considers “the whole nation to be my flock”. How presumptuous of him: there can’t be a single nation in today’s world that comprises members of only one religion, and he would do well to show some humility along with acknowledgement that, in fact, he represents only members of the Orthodox faith.
And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
The Archbishop could do worse than practice what he preaches: offering advice to the government he suggested “They should be patient, listen to the truths, and better themselves”. Below are some Truths published in the Bible which perhaps His Beatitude would do well to study. They refer to some of the basic tenets of Christianity – and are somewhat at odds with our Prelate’s recent comments.
From one human being he created all the races on Earth and made them live throughout the whole Earth.” Acts 17:26
When a foreigner lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The foreigner living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34
For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3 v 5-11
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8
And finally, from the World Council of Churches in 1980: “Every human being created in the image of God is a person for who Christ died. Racism… is an assault on Christ’s values and a rejection of his sacrifice”.
