Are social relationships necessary?

Neither the Church, nor any individual as a living member of the Church, should have a negative or indifferent attitude towards others, for the human being is social by nature and faith restores us to our original state as an image of God, the Lover of humanity. Friendship, cooperation, and any social activity should not merely be a matter of changeable human emotions, but emerge from sincere love as a divine gift.

St. Basil the Great says, “we need the help of each one of our brethren more than one hand needs the other. Then, too, the Lord has taught us the necessity of unity of action from the very construction of our bodies. For, when I reflect upon these our limbs, that not one of them is sufficient in itself for activity, how shall I consider that I alone am strong enough to combat the troubles of life? In fact, neither could one foot move safely forward unless the other helped to support it, nor could the eye see clearly if it did not have the other as its partner, and if it did not, in harmony with it, cast its glance upon the objects to be seen. The hearing is more accurate when it receives the sound through both channels; the grasp is stronger through the cooperation of the fingers. And, in general, I see that none of the actions performed either naturally or by inclination is accomplished without the agreement of kindred forces, since even prayer itself which does not come from persons praying together is much feebler, the Lord having declared that He will be in the midst if two or three call upon Him with oneness of mind (Matt. 18:20).”⁹⁸⁸