The Pain of War

Everyday I turn on the news and am reminded of the pain of war. Whether it be tribal wars in Africa or the very public war between Russia and Ukraine, my heart breaks at the violence that erupts because of human selfishness. Today my heart aches just a bit more for those Orthodox Christians forced to kill each other in Ukraine.

Today is the commemoration of Saints Cyril and Methodius the Enlighteners of the Slavs. These holy brothers were sent, by request of the Czar, to teach about Christianity. Their love for God and his people was received the entire Slavic world embraced the faith. Too bad this same sense of love for God and his people has disappeared among the same people.

I will not dare to know the intricacies of the situation, except to know that war is painful enough, but when brother rises up against brother, that is a special sort of pain. As painful as it is, we have also been prepared for this by our Lord. “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” (Matthew 10.11)

Today, I just want to ask all our Be Transfigured fans to pray for the people of Russia and Ukraine, as well as all the other waring factions of the world. Holy Saints Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us. Inspire us to return to love for God and His people. Lord have mercy.