Orthodox Forge

Church Worship as a Journey to Heaven

Should we pray for vengeance on heretics?

Q913 · The Life of Prayer

St. Cyril the Great says, “But perchance some one will say, ‘But lo! Christ somewhere said to the holy apostles, “Love your enemies: pray for them who use you despitefully” (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27): how then can we cry out against them [ask for revenge], without despising the divine command?’ … Whenever offences are committed by any against us personally, let us immediately even count it our glory to be forgiving towards them, and full of mutual love; and imitating the holy fathers, even though they smite and scorn us, yes, even though they inflict violence upon us of every kind, let us free them from all blame, and be superior both to wrath and vexation. Such glorying becomes the saints, and is pleasing to God. But when any sin against the glory of God, heaping up wars and distresses against those who are the ministers of the divine message, then indeed let us at once draw near unto God, beseeching His aid, and crying out against those who resist His glory: just as also the mighty Moses did; for he said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let all those who hate Your Name flee away’ (Num. 10:35). And the prayer also uttered by the holy apostles … ‘For behold their threatenings,’ that is, prove their opposition to be in vain, and grant unto ‘Your servants, that with freedom of speech they may speak Your word.’”96

The Fathers cited

  • St. Cyril the Great

Scripture