Mt. Neophytos of Morphou
Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou, addresses the world’s turmoil and whether hope remains amid our lack of repentance. He affirms that true repentance is not absent, as many have turned to Christ, and reminds us that our hope must be Christ and His mercy. Finally, he explains that prophecies are meant to be averted, for sincere repentance would move God’s mercy to withhold such events.
Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou: “He said, there are two possible scenarios that could happen: One is to have many great evils and troubles all over the world. Catastrophes, not just wars, in many different regions and many natural disasters; and all this is on account of our sins of course. But there is also a scenario in which fewer misfortunes will be allowed to occur, because repentant people will still be found on this earth.”
Question: “It is obvious to everyone, both in Greece and Cyprus, that we are in a time of great turmoil worldwide...”
Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou: “A situation in which our countries (Greece and Cyprus) are impacted geopolitically, economically, energetically, and so on. And it is natural to expect that the Middle East will go through changes that will affect our interests of national sovereignty. It is clear that both Greece and Cyprus are heading towards an uncertain future. It is no coincidence that Saint Porphyrios has recently appeared to a professor through whom he told us that we are truly alone, and that we have no true ally on our side except the help of our saints and the Mother of God.
In addition, Elder Ephraim of Arizona, who recently passed away to the Lord, told us that Greece has turned its back on Christ, and it is sleeping in its own muck. In view of all this, what should we all do, the clergy and the people, as well as the political class, so as to minimize the evil that seems to be pouring out on us? Is there hope, under the conditions where there is no real repentance, that a small part of the people and the clergy will change God’s decisions? Might there be a need for a national “campaign” of repentance and prayer, which will positively influence what is going to happen in our country in the future? So... The question is: “Is there hope, under the conditions where there is no real repentance, that a small part of the people and the clergy will change God’s decisions?
Of course there is hope! Very, very, very much hope! Because Christ exists, there is the Holy Spirit, God the Father; the Holy Trinity! Lord have mercy! After all, we know who will be victorious. Revelation tells us this; the last book of the New Testament. It is Christ! “I have come to overcome, and I will overcome!” All the other events are happenings of history; whether we are talking about wars, earthquakes, natural disasters, plagues, diseases, deaths, falls.
All these are happenings, and they all pass away. What do we want? For our generation not to undergo trials and temptations? If we do not have trials, how will we sanctify ourselves? “For there must also be heresies among you, that those who are approved (also can be translated as tried) may be recognized among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:19) “There is no real repentance...” There still is a little repentance, though. I’m a believer. I see a lot of people, especially the youth, who confess and cry during confession; with tears. The last few days I confessed a boy to whom I was constantly giving tissues. What tears! This is how Saint Mary of Egypt must have confessed. I became ashamed. I thought to myself that I had never seen such tears from a person. And I said to myself: this is why it is necessary for all hierarchs to do confessions sometimes; in order to be humbled by the tears of those who humbly confess.
When I see that in the Old Testament there is talk of Sodom being destroyed by God, and Abraham asks God: “Lord, but if you find 25 righteous people in Sodom, will you save them?” “I will save them!” “But if there are only 20 instead of 25?” “I will save them!” “If instead of 20, You’ll only find 15?” “I will save them!” “What if there are only 10?” “Of course, I will save them!” “But what if You find only 5?” “Even on account of 5 I will save them!” And it says that Abraham was amazed within himself when he saw how great the mercy of God was, and he said to himself: “But what a miserable people we are! Not even 5?! ” Do you know what the Holy Fathers interpret about these few verses of The Old Testament? If there were only two would He save them? Yes, He would save them!
Because it says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Nowadays, throughout all of Orthodoxy, not only in Cyprus and Greece, but also in Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Orthodox in Australia, Germany, America, Canada, everywhere... They write to me from South Africa. And I must say, what a desire for repentance, prayer, asceticism, and monasticism. I did not expect such a thing! If I, the sinner, Neophytos... And you all know me with all my passions and mistakes for so many years. If even I have this compassion for them and I feel sorry for them, then what about Christ? Isn’t He more merciful than I am? Of course! So I think that what the great Holy Elder Ephraim of Arizona... He was a great saint, Elder Ephraim of Arizona, and I knew he was great even before he passed away, but in the first few months since he has passed away he has proved this to be the case.
He said, there are two possible scenarios that could happen: One is to have many great evils and troubles all over the world. Catastrophes, not just wars, in many different regions and many natural disasters; and all this is on account of our sins of course. But there is also a scenario in which fewer misfortunes will be allowed to occur, because repentant people will still be found on this earth. I believe in the few, because this kind of work has always been done by the few people, not by the many. And these few seem to exist. It is said that Saint Paisios recently appeared to a spiritual son of his, who is alive on this earth, and he was very joyful. Why was the Elder (Saint) so joyful? Because the Mother of God found repentance on earth, and Christ promised to allow less to happen than we expected and prophesied. Did you hear? The prophecy, Saint Porphyrios says, is given so that it does not happen! Did you hear? The Lord prefers to make His prophet a laughing stock (the prophecy not to occur) on account of His Love for people. That is why we have entered into this discussion of prophesies, to give birth to repentance, pain, and fear of God. Glory be to God, because it appears that something has happened/changed until now.
It looks like the second scenario is going to happen. Let’s see what will happen in the end. I believe and hope in the second scenario, because there is hope, there are people who pray and who repent. He also asks us if we need a national “campaign” of repentance and prayer that will positively influence what happens in our country in the future? But it’s not just about our country! One thing that bothers me is that we have this impression that God is Greek. Forgive me, but God made the whole Universe! Do you understand this?! “The worlds(universes)”, says a beautiful Psalm! God did everything Himself! Does God not care about the Eskimos and the Chinese; everyone? Do you know what our trump card is, so to speak? We are baptized and anointed, so we can become sanctified. We have more possibilities, but also bigger responsibilities! If we fail, what does the gospel say will happen? “to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” (Luke 12:48) Therefore, we Orthodox are born for holiness, others are born for salvation!
You will say to me: “But is this possible outside the Church?” God has His ways, I will not talk about this now!” And these events that will come, wars, and the ones that will follow, migration and disease, will lead many, many people with good intentions not only to repentance, but to the knowledge of the truth; the truth of Orthodoxy. So, it’s an operation that needs to happen. Now, whether the operation is performed with or without anesthesia or if it will be painful or less painful, it is up to us to decide.
Now a point which... Erdogan will do very little. He is smart, even though he wears many different masks, and this will lead to his destruction, but he knows how to negotiate. In regards to us, he will trigger a small episode, as was the case with Imia. (Islands in the Aegean Sea) Erdogan will fall, and after him inexperienced people, pro-Westerners, Kemalists (a political ideology) will take power and they will create big problems. But, what will these people do? They will ruin relations with Russia. They will betray Russia and Russia will get angry ... This is in regards to us, but we are not the only ones in the world. Did anyone know a week ago that China will go through such martyrdom? (at the start of Covid) And now you should know that China will export it all over the world. We will all be affected by it too.
But the saints tell us that he who is in repentance will have the protection of the Mother of God and of the Archangel Michael. Because these people will have to... After the wars and the catastrophes are over, the Church will use these people as apostles. (To spread the Word of God.) Learn to pray, learn to repent, to forgive, and to love. Receive Holy Communion, and you will have shelter and protection. Tomorrow, if they kill me... Let’s say they kill me because I say what I say, and I’ll leave as a confessor! How beautiful! How beautiful that would be! You stopped it! So... .........Therefore, let us not worry too much about this earthly life. Life is elsewhere! These are not ours; God’s people do not learn that life is elsewhere (other than Eternity). I recently went to visit my Geronda, Simeon, and spent many hours there; sometimes in silence, and sometimes talking.
He is sick and has a hard time speaking. He is not by nature talkative, he is a man of silence. I am characterized by enthusiasm. He is characterized by being a very timid man. And I say to him at one point, “Ah, Gheronda, if man does not find his heart, either through an illness, or through a trial, or by being slandered, he has done nothing; his life is in vain.” And, as I said this, he suddenly got out of bed and hugged me, saying, “Yes, my son, it’s how you say; it’s all about finding our heart. For Christ to speak to our hearts.” And I say, be careful! A man of silence is looking for the essence, he does not want to get lost in the details. Of course, I tell you this, because if there is one who has begun to “prophesy” and make fun of himself in Cyprus, it is I, as I told you, to awaken repentance in the souls of the other brethren.
But for us, people of faith, little or much, as each one has, our care must be different. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 50) Be careful not to fall into this trap of fear and worries. Your only concern should be for a pure heart, and for the co-working of the Holy Spirit within yourself, Whom we all received during Chrismation. And to commemorate names, many names, both for the living and dead. I ask this of you. It helps greatly those above, those on earth, and those below.”
This lecture by Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou was translated into English and published on January 22, 2022, on the ‘Uncreated Light Press’ YouTube channel. The person who runs ‘Uncreated Light Press’ has been battling Ewing’s Sarcoma, a form of cancer located in his spine. He has been relearning how to walk and has not been able to work, which is why he has not been posting recently. Please pray for him, and if you wish to support him in any way, visit his YouTube channel through the videos below.