THEOSISAthanasius the Great
To grasp the gravity of recent events, I find it meaningful to reference a narrative from the Scriptures. Once, there was a Levite whose wife was subjected to disgrace, being a woman of the tribe of Judah. Witnessing the depth of the shame and appalled by the wickedness that had been perpetrated against her, as recounted in the sacred Book of Judges, he took the shocking step of dismembering her body and sending the parts throughout all of Israel. This was done to awaken the hearts of the tribes, compelling them to recognize that this dishonor wasn't solely his burden but rather a collective shame, urging their empathy to seek retribution. Should they ignore the incident, they would share in the burden as though they had been the instigators of the wrong.
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The messengers conveyed the tragic occurrence, leading all who heard to declare, “Never was anything like this beaten since the day that the children of Israel came out of Egypt” (Judges 19:30). Thus, every tribe was stirred to action, uniting against the wicked, as they all felt wronged. The transgressors faced the consequences of their actions in the form of warfare, becoming accursed among their people. Those assembled focused not on their familial ties but on the injustice inflicted.
I recount this story in hopes that, by contrasting the circumstances of that time with our current plight, you may draw awareness to how our situation eclipses that past transgression, prompting greater outrage than that which the Israelites expressed against the offenders of their day. The severity of the persecution we endure far exceeds the grievances faced by that Levite; what we face in our Church today has never been witnessed on such a scale throughout history. In the past, one woman suffered indignity, and one Levite endured dishonor; now, the entire Church finds itself under siege, the very sanctuary disrespected, and, most tragically, righteousness facing persecution by the forces of evil. In that earlier time, each tribe of Israel was horrified by the fate of a single woman; today, you behold the entire Church being torn apart, with messengers sent out announcing the defilement and injustice sustained.
I implore you to be stirred to action, as if this affront were aimed not only at us but at you as well, assisting one another as if you are personally affected. Let us not allow the principles and faith of the Church to be undermined. Both are under threat unless God swiftly intervenes through you to rectify these wrongs and safeguard the Church. The rules and doctrines we hold dear were not newly forged, but rather have been lovingly and resolutely passed down from our forebears. Our faith did not originate in our time; it has been bequeathed to us from the Lord through His disciples. Therefore, let us not allow the cherished traditions of the Church, which have been upheld since time immemorial, to fade away in these challenging days, nor let what has been entrusted to us be taken from us. Arise, brethren, for you are the stewards of God's mysteries, witnessing them being ravaged by others.