Ukrainian orthodox priests luxurious faith

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort." (Luke 6:24)

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" (Acts 20:35)

In Ukraine, according to various estimates, around 30% of people live below the poverty line. And a considerable part of the population just somewhat above that line. (In Russia the situation is quite similar, both with poverty and the well off priests.)

The following video features the reaction of our orthodox priest(s) to the journalist's questions about their luxurious cars, telephones and personal drivers.

The priest says 'I forbid you to film that', 'I'll break your camera', 'You're like a hobo', 'You've been payed to make this report', 'This car is not a luxury, its a transport, what do you think a priest should walk?', 'I'll sue you', 'Your children will be paying for your lies', 'You're a mentally sick person', 'May you be d[amned]'.

In the beginning of the video the priest also admits government sends 'a small amount of money' sometimes: 'well ... if they give us 2 millions a month...'

2 million A MONTH? I wonder how many life-saving medicine could have been bought  for Ukrainian children. But hey, I'm just an atheist, what do I know about morality? Maybe building a prayer house is more important then saving lives.

"Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”" (Matthew 19:21)

'A man of faith', in my opinion, when given a Mercedes as a gift (that's how this priest said he got it), should have sold it and bought a cheaper one (if walking - like Christ did - or taking a public transport - like millions of Ukrainians do daily - is such a trouble). Then the money could have been given for charity, aren't you supposed to be loving your neighbours and caring first and foremost about the spiritual treasures?

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17)

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Illustrational update: Picture entitled "Call from a higher order". Taken by Boris M Struk in Pecherska Lavra, July 2011: