Patriarchal Address on the Occasion of Sobriety Day

September 11, 2024, on the feast of the Beheading of the Head of the Forerunner of the Lord John the Baptist, Sobriety Day is celebrated. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' sent his Primate's address to all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church:

Beloved in the Lord, Most Reverend Archpastors!

All-honorable fathers and mothers! Dear brothers and sisters!

Today we remember the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, which he suffered for his faithfulness to the truth of God. Even in the face of mortal danger, John the Baptist did not cease to persuade the wicked King Herod to abandon the sin of adultery. However, he not only did not heed the admonitions of the prophet, but also committed an even more serious sin: he took the life of this holy man, weakening his mind from drinking alcohol.

"When drinking wine, do not drink away your mind," instructs the Venerable Isidore of Pelusium (Letter 313. Zosima). Wine, which was given to man by God for joy, if taken in excess can become a source of various troubles and misfortunes, illnesses and tragedies in life.

As a reminder of the perniciousness of intemperance, the Russian Orthodox Church established a special Day of Sobriety on the feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist, on which it calls its faithful children to strict fasting and prayer, including for those who suffer from the terrible disease of alcoholism. "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any moment your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness" (Luke 21:34), Christ warns us, reminding us of the importance of being ready to appear before the Son of Man at any moment (Luke 21:36). Let these stern words of the Savior and the instructive example of the Gospel event we are now recalling be a useful lesson for us, so that we always strive to be sober in soul and body.

By the intercession of the honest, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, may the Holy and True Lord (Rev. 6:10) send us His gracious help in spiritual growth and grant a good answer at the Dread Judgment of Christ.