02/02/2025
Catechesis and Witness:
The Orthodox Response to Modernist Morality
In an era where moral relativism and secular ideologies dominate public discourse, Orthodox Christians must ask: What is our response? Do we engage in cultural battles, condemn the world’s moral failures, or retreat into our parishes and ignore society altogether? The answer lies in the ancient mission of the Church—we are called to teach the faithful and bear witness to the world, not to pass judgment on those outside the Body of Christ. However, our silence in the face of falsehood can have dire consequences. People are truly like sheep, and they will follow the shepherd with the loudest voice. If we do not speak, others will, and their voices may lead even the faithful astray. Worse still, silence could embolden those who would label our proclamation of truth as “hate speech,” seeking to make it illegal. Thus, we must remain steadfast in our mission.
A Lifetime of Bearing Witness
As a bishop in Orthodoxy, I, +Michael, embrace the words of St. Athanasius as well as the Ancient Apostolic Faith. Ever since my seminary days and ordination to the priesthood in the 1990s, I have striven to be a vocal witness to the truth—not only to the world at large but primarily to the greater Christian community. This has not come without opposition. The sadness I have encountered is that even among fellow Christian clergy, I have faced accusations of hate speech, homophobia, bigotry, and even misogyny. These accusations often come not from those who earnestly seek theological dialogue but from those who have embraced the spirit of the age, forsaking the immutable teachings of Christ and the Church Fathers.
St. Paul reminds us:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
We are living in such times. Many churches across the Christian spectrum have gone down the slippery slope of modernism, accepting virtually every deviant moral whim. What began as a call for so-called liberation has led many Christian communities to outright abandon historic moral teachings, conforming instead to the latest ideological trends. Churches that once upheld biblical truth have caved to social pressures, endorsing positions that directly contradict Scripture and the teachings of the Fathers. This erosion of morality in churches has led to:
The rejection of traditional marriage and family structures in favor of secular redefinitions.
The abandonment of sexual morality, excusing sin rather than calling for repentance.
The acceptance of gender ideologies that deny the fundamental truth of God’s creation.
The embrace of relativism, where truth is determined by personal feelings rather than divine revelation.
This trend is not new, but its rapid acceleration over recent decades is alarming. Without proper catechesis, even the faithful are at risk of succumbing to societal pressures, believing that the Church must evolve to stay “relevant.” But relevance at the cost of truth is nothing short of apostasy. St. Athanasius, who stood against the A***n heresy when nearly the whole world had turned against true doctrine, reminds us:
“If the world goes against the truth, then Athanasius goes against the world.”
The Church must reinforce:
The moral law given by God, which is unchanging and not subject to societal trends.
The sacramental life, particularly the Eucharist, as the means by which we receive divine grace to live holy lives.
The necessity of repentance, calling the faithful to align their lives with God’s will.
Discernment, so believers can recognize falsehood and remain steadfast in the truth.
The Church is not a political activist group; it is a spiritual hospital meant to heal and sanctify souls. If Christians are not properly instructed, they will be easily swayed by cultural movements that contradict the Gospel.
A Witness to the World
While we strengthen the faithful, we must also bear witness to the world. Jesus said:
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
However, our role is not to coerce the world into Christian morality, but to proclaim the truth and invite others to Christ. The world, steeped in sin, will often reject this message. St. Paul makes this clear:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
St. John Chrysostom boldly declared:
“A church that does not disturb the world is a dead church.”
Secular society will mock and dismiss Christian moral teachings. Our task is not to enforce morality upon the unwilling, but to faithfully preach the truth, trusting that the Holy Spirit will convict hearts. Yet, if we do not proclaim this truth, society will gladly label our silence as consent to its moral decay. This silence could then be weaponized against us, rebranding Orthodox teaching as an outdated or even dangerous ideology.
Building a Light in the Desert
My ecclesiastical authority consists of the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding area. My prayer is to build something new here in the desert—a bright light shining on the hill, illuminating the truth for our communities. As Christ Himself called us to be “a city set on a hill” (Matthew 5:14), I seek to establish a stronghold of the Ancient Faith where those searching for truth and stability can find refuge.
I envision a diocese that serves as a bastion against the tides of modernism, a place where the faithful are not only instructed but strengthened in their walk with Christ. We must not only preserve the truth but actively proclaim it in our churches, homes, and communities. Our mission is not one of isolation but engagement—rooted in the Gospel and lived through the sacraments.
Conclusion: An Invitation to the Ancient Faith
The Orthodox response to modernist morality is not one of outrage, but of steadfast faith. Our duty is to catechize the faithful, ensuring that Christians are equipped to stand firm. Simultaneously, we must bear witness to the world, not by legalistic condemnation, but by faithfully preaching and living the Gospel.
However, silence is not an option. If we do not proclaim the truth, others will fill the void—with ideologies that contradict Christ’s teachings. Public discourse increasingly marginalizes the Christian voice, and there is a real danger that Orthodox doctrine itself will be legally labeled as hate speech. If we do not take a stand now, we may soon find our ability to do so taken away.
We are called to be that voice crying out in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3), pointing the way to Christ. The world may mock us, reject us, or ignore us—but our mission remains unchanged.
To those—both clergy and laity alike—who seek a place of refuge from the quagmire of modernism, I invite you to contact me. Let us walk together on the path of the Ancient Faith, where mentorship and loving pastoral care will guide you back to the unchanging truth of Christ and His Church.
I also ask you to pray fervently for this mission—that God may grant the grace for it to succeed, that He may raise up more workers for the harvest, and that more souls may find their way into the flock of His Holy Church. May our efforts bear fruit that lasts unto eternity.
Bishop Michael (IBK)
Bishop for the Diocese of Phoenix
https://theorthodoxchurch.org/
https://stnicholashocaca.org/diocese-of-phoenix./
623.261.4809
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