Authority Quote by Patriarch Philaret of Moscow
“The Church is holy, although there are sinners within her. Those who sin, but who cleanse themselves with true repentance, do not keep the Church from being holy. But unrepentant sinners are cut off, whether visibly by Church authority, or invisible by the judgement of God, from the body of the Church. And so in this regard the Church remains holy.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: On the Purity of the Church, 1990
The Church remains holy despite sinners; repentance restores purity, while unrepentant are excluded.
In simple terms: Church is holy; repentance cleanses; unrepentant are cut off.
Key Takeaway
Seek repentance and support community purity.
Themes
religion
morality
community
redemption
Mood
solemn
hopeful
Type
didactic
theological
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- church participation
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
theology
ecclesiology
Questions to Reflect On
- What constitutes true repentance?
- How should the community handle unrepentant members?
A Different Perspective
Balancing forgiveness with accountability can be complex.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)