2022 Revised Julian (New) Ecclesiastical Calendar 2022 Metropolitan Orestes Scholarship Essay:
The Involvement of the Church in Politics By: Anastasia Benc
Saint John the Baptist Church Perth Amboy, New Jersey
A
s a student during some of the most monumental events of this century, it is clear that the time period of my college career will have its own chapter in future history books. From a chain of events that sparked the biggest civil rights protest in history, to an international pandemic that stopped the world for longer than expected, the events of the past two years have compelled every individual and institution to reconsider their lifestyles and their values. As young adults, we are impressionable and eager to learn. Our families, our friends on social media, our teachers, and our government all project their own experiences and opinions and try to convince us to agree. We are constantly introduced 2023
to new information, and this overflow can blend opinion and fact, leaving us polarized and overwhelmed.
The nature of this world will always be difficult to navigate, but the Church is one place to which we know we can always retreat for clarity and truth. Our Orthodox Church has remained steadfast in its traditions, statutes, and culture for thousands of years, and it is our faith that guides our own lives. Although free from external influence, a question becomes increasingly relevant: Should we involve ourselves in the heated and seemingly neverending political discussions that we observe every day? The response to this question is that
Diocesan Yearbook
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