Beloved in the Lord, Most Reverend Archpastors! All-Reverend Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Today, the Holy Church commemorates the Beheading of John the Baptist and offers us the Gospel reading about two kinds of loyalty—to good and to evil. The Forerunner is faithful to God and does not renounce Him even in the face of death. Herod is also faithful, but not to the Lord, but to his foolish promise: to maintain his standing in the eyes of his fellow guests, he is forced to keep his rash word. Of course, the king was saddened by Herodias's evil desire to kill the prophet, for he revered John as a saint, but because his judgment was clouded by intoxicating drinks, he nevertheless gave the terrible order.
Wine was created for the joy of men, but it is bitter when much is drunk, says the wise Jesus, son of Sirach (Sirach 31:32-34). Only with a sober mind are we able to distinguish truth from falsehood, make sound decisions, fight passions, and resist temptation—to do all that we are called to do as Christians.
To remind people of the need to always have clear thoughts, a kind heart, and good will, the Russian Orthodox Church established Temperance Day on the feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist. It is encouraging that alcohol and tobacco consumption has decreased in our country in recent years, but new dangerous substances are emerging that negatively impact consciousness and distort our perception of reality. Let us remember that it is impossible to confront these serious modern challenges without abstaining from vices and passions, without daily self-improvement.
Through the prayers of St. John the Baptist, may the Merciful Lord help us to be sober as we should be and not to sin (1 Cor. 15:34) in all our ways and all the days of our lives.
+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA