Orthodoxy & Creation
Guidelines for the Greening of the Orthodox Parish
New Wine from Old Bottles
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.
- Psalm 24:1
We reiterate through this present message the vigorous concern of the Orthodox Church for the right use of the environment.
- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
The care of Creation... is our practical task but also a spiritual and religious duty, a fulfillment of the commandment of God.
- His Beatitude +Patriarch Alexey II
As Orthodox Christians we are called by Scripture, by the saints and the fathers, and by all of our patriarchs speaking in unison to live in harmony with God’s creation. From the first chapter of Genesis through to the end of the Book of Revelation, God through the Holy Bible repeatedly commands us to live rightly upon the land. Jesus affirms the Mosaic Law and gives us a vision of the world transfigured – raised and transformed by our participation in His continuing life. Our involvement with His creation, which we somewhat glibly describe as ecological action, is essentially a way of living that honors God, that respects our neighbors and that seeks the health and well-being of God’s creation. There is nothing new here. Christians have always had this duty.
In the countries where Orthodox Christianity originally flourished, respect for the land was built into the culture and Tradition. When we reduce so-called “ecological action” down to its essentials, what we call ecology is simply obedience to God blended with ways of living that are respectful, healthful and watchful to avoid sin so that we do not harm to those around us nor to God’s good creation.
The following guidelines represent an introduction to Orthodox Christian environmental principles and practice. They are intended to get a parish or a Christian family started. This list below is only a beginning set of principles; it is not intended as a comprehensive guide to “green” behavior. It does, however, summarize basic themes through which to begin the journey into a right relationship to God and creation.
1. Recycle
In Genesis, as soon as people are given dominion, they are also commanded by God to replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). This means that when we take from God’s creation, we put back into the earth in proportion as we have taken. This principle of restoration guarantees that the earth can provide for us and for future generations. Therefore, recycling is obedience to God and foundational to a right relationship to His creation. So is the use of recycled materials such as recycled paper.
2. Reduce energy use
We are to live within the limits and restraints of creation. One of the largest issues that society faces is global climate change. Scientists tell us that this is caused by excessive release of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a by-product of burning fossils fuels – natural gas, oil, and coal, but also nuclear power – used for heating, cooling, lighting and transportation.
3. Eliminate trash and excess
Packaging is a major cause of excess and waste. As much as possible minimize packaging or anything which is designed to be thrown away after use. Landfill space is a growing problem. We are filling available open spaces with trash. The developed world has become accustomed to a wasteful throwaway lifestyle, but this cannot be sustained. The era of the throw-away society is now over.
4. Buy carefully and conscientiously
Purchase products that can be recycled. Seek durable goods and quality products. Do not buy products that contain harmful chemicals. Buy carefully and with an awakened and aware conscience. Avoid consumerism – which is now consuming and draining the life of the planet.
5. Use clean foods
Do not bring harmful chemicals or pesticide-laden foods onto church property or the home. As much as possible, buy locally and organically. Eat lower on the food chain. Be conscious of the effects of the foods that are fed to parish members. No more junk food for children – or adults.
6. Remove incandescent light fixtures and bulbs
The excess use of electricity results in additional pollution and harm to our neighbors, often in distant places. As we live in ways that assault or offend the health of our neighbors, we harm them and lose our ability to live in the grace of God. Whenever possible use less polluting, lower cost lighting options for parish or home. This means compact fluorescent or the new and more efficient LED lights. As much as possible, eliminate incandescent light bulbs. If available, use alternative sources of electricity.
7. Minimize possessions
Own less, use less, and enjoy life more. Americans are 4% of the world’s people, but we use one-fourth to one-third of all the world’s goods and supplies. If the rest of the world adopted the American lifestyle and consumer appetite, it would require four additional planets to supply the world’s appetite. Besides all the excess stuff is an unnecessary burden to the environment and our spiritual lives.
8. Conserve and respect drinking water
Avoid bottled water which is most often no cleaner and no better than tap water. Purchase a water filter and serve water in pitchers. Respect the water that you use. Never pour chemical pollutants down the drain or into waterways. In the future water will become far more precious than it is today.
9. Study the Issues
This list is only a beginning. A right relationship to God’s creation requires examination of the issues and awareness of the many solutions. Everything counts. As we participate in the life of Christ, we are called to enter into his formation of the New Earth. As a simple code of words, seek to “share, care, spare and repair” the things of creation. Nothing is to be disregarded. Through ecological action we are also building a whole Orthodox Christian way of life.
10. Extend ecological attitudes into the homes of parishioners
For clergy and parents, teach the Orthodox vision of creation. Help parish members to recall that we are continually dealing with the veiled presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in creation. Recognize God by respecting and serving His Creation. Key words that communicate a right relationship to creation are renew, reuse, restore and replenish.
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To sustain these initial goals so that they become embedded into the life of the parish and extended into the homes of parishioners,’ an equally important set of spiritual principles is necessary to support these physical actions.
These principles can be woven into sermons, into parish talks, and into general comments so that there is an education of parishioners as to the rationale for Orthodox ecological practice. For the American mind it is just as important to explain why something must be done as what must be done and how. In one sense, paraphrasing the words of Jesus, these modern applications of ancient principles might be understood as “new wine out of old wineskins.”
Notice that spiritual growth is implied here. By following the recommendations in this list, one is submitting in obedience to the commandments of God. This will bring enhanced awareness and a beginning level of transformation.
1. Seek Christ in all things
We serve Christ through creation. Christ and the Holy Spirit are “everywhere present and fill all things.” As we respect the features and creatures of creation, we cultivate a remembrance that “in Him we live and move and have our being.” Nothing is devoid of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything is to be treated with love, thanksgiving, respect and care.
2 Set an example of Christian earth stewardship
This is crucial especially for the pastor and clergy. Your actions speak louder than your words. Without right leadership by example from the pastor, or parents for that matter for their children, not much transformation will take place. This is also true for each member of the parish. Each person’s actions count in the restoration and repair of the earth. All of us must set a right example as a witness of our Christianity.
3. Give thanks to God for all things
Everything that we have is a gift from God, and worthy of appreciation and thanksgiving. For the food and for all of the gifts the Lord gives to you and your family through creation, be thankful. At all meals remember to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Be not among the forgetful. For Orthodox, every day is Thanksgiving.
4. Pray for help, inspiration, enthusiasm
More is accomplished by prayer and right attitude than many talks and sermons. Pray to make changes in your home. Pray for your parish, its members and projects. Pray for the city or town in which you live. Pray for its leaders, that they realize the importance of respect for God’s creation. Your actions will follow your prayers. Extend help cheerfully in time of need. There is no such thing as too much prayer.
5. Embody simplicity, cleanliness and contentment
Serve God and creation by practicing cleanliness, simplicity and respect for God’s creation. Pick up trash whenever someone has become careless or forgetful. Cultivate frugality and a householder ascesis in home management. As Saint Paul advises us, “Be content with such things as you have.”
6. Remember that all things belong first to the Lord
“The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Ultimately, we own nothing, but all things may be used. Greed and avarice render the world opaque, turning all things to dust and ashes. In contrast generosity, love and unselfishness render the world transparent, turning all things into a sacrament of communion.
7. Practice the virtues
The virtues are a key to earth healing because they transform the individual while they heal the land. All the virtues are earth healing and transforming. In contrast, the vices corrupt the earth and the individual. By definition the virtues are the qualities of Christ in human life. Therefore, let us “exercise ourselves unto godliness” that we may grow in the virtues and rightly steward God’s good earth.
8. Seek the Beauty of the Lord
Beauty reminds us of the goodness of God; it is a touch of divinity infused into the physical world. Beauty is not glamor and glitter. Beauty embraces balance, harmony and a touch of love and goodness. Let things of beauty fill your parish and your home. Beauty helps to remind us that God fills the world with his blessing and presence.
9. Cultivate reverence, respect and harmlessness
Handle material things with reverence and respect. All things belong first to the Lord and His presence enlivens all things. Let us strive to avoid harm and hurt to creation. A sense of Christ in all things brings right relationship to one’s interchanges and respect for all things.
10. Strive for theosis
When we pray to God as “Father,” as we do in every Divine Liturgy, the implication is that we are His children. Seek therefore those things that are above and find the spiritualizing, transforming blessings that are freely given to all who seek the Lord. If you ask, so shall you find.
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These guidelines allow a parish to get started with ecological practice. Notice that there is nothing new in these principles. They are merely an extension of the life of the Church and its principles into the life of the world. In other words we should have been doing these things all along.
To clarify our purpose and repeat the rationale for the goal of greening the Orthodox parish, it must be remembered that in past centuries the Church did not need to emphasize these earth healing principles. The level of spiritual formation was often higher and respect was better integrated into community behavior. Also the technological tools that amplify human capabilities and impact on the world were far less developed. Humans did not impact the world as powerfully as they do today. Now, in a civilization in which people exert far more influence on the health and welfare of their neighbors and the land because of the tools that we use and the choices that we make, the Church must extend its moral and ethical teaching into daily behavior.
With all of this in mind, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in concert with ALL of the other patriarchs, now emphasizes the need for parishes to awaken to this new situation.
Any change in the environment is a matter that concerns all people and all regions in the world. Each of us ought to become conscious of our collective obligation to conform to everything demanded for the sake of the protection of the environment. Each of us has this obligation.
First, we should take care not to destroy or pollute the environment, and should take action to restore it and improve it.
Second, we ought to avoid the use of products whose production burdens our environment, and... strictly limit the use of those products.
We add a third obligation – to make all people aware of these responsibilities. For, although the potential influence of each individual may appear to be limited, the collective influence of all people together is limitless.
This environmental ethic is imperative for rational thinking and must be understood as equivalent to the obligation of self-preservation.
This message is now coming to us in many forms from each Orthodox patriarchs. The world is changing. Restraint on our appetites and respect for God’s creation must become part of our daily lives. If we fail to heed their call, our unbridled and unbridled appetites will destroy the world with all of our society’s new inventions and powerful methods for exercising power over the natural world – God’s creation.
In the following sections, we will examine a series of specific issues and suggest how our Orthodox theology and ethos of restraint and respect translates into proper ways of living and responding to these new situations.
Attention must be given to developing programs of practical application.
- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
