Patience in Tribulation Part 2
Story
“Who is Pope Kyrillos? The one who works miracles? Who casts out demons?” quietly asked Fr Raphael, shaking his head. “That is not at all there is to Kyrillos; but if you want to know who he really is, I will tell you…
In 1968, there was a much-loved priest whom Kyrillos relocated to the patriarchate for six months to serve closely with him… The whole parish [unaware of the reason] rose in something of a revolution; Sunday school, youth groups, the church committee, all of them, asking, “How could you remove this beloved priest?… The people began cursing, buses arrived at the patriarchate overflowing with people. “We want our priest back,” they screamed. Then after six months, Kyrillos moved him to another [far move thriving] parish… but once more the revolution arose; cursing and criticism began once more. And yet Kyrillos remained silent. This went on for some time until an old friend from Kyrillos’ time in Old Cairo rebuked him: “You are causing trouble, everyone is disturbed and angry; just return the priest to his parish- do we need more troubles?” Kyrillos calmly confided to his dear friend, “If you only knew the reality… this priest is not worthy of priesthood.”
Not worthy of priesthood?… And yet he stayed silent for six months, being mocked, criticised, sworn at… and not once did Kyrillos open his mouth to explain. Not merely a mistake, the man was not worthy of priesthood at all, and yet he puts him in his bosom, in the patriarchate, and then returns him, healed.”
Fr Daniel Fanous. A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI Life and Legacy,” St Vladamir’s Seminary Press (2019), New York, NY, pg. 307-308
Question
Pope Kyrillos VI welcomed tribulation for righteousness’ sake. How can we choose to be righteous in all our tribulations?