The shorter sermons and articles of Archbishop John, no less
than his major writings, are deeply theological. Whether inspiring his flock to
greater piety on the Church's feast days, or commenting on the meaning of
contemporary events, the source from which he draws is always the Church's
theology, contained in the Holy Scripture, the Divine services, and the
writings of the Holy Fathers. His appeal to this theology is never abstract; he
makes use of the Church's knowledge of God and His dealings with men only for
the practical benefit of His flock: to raise their minds above worldly
concerns, to inspire them with the ideals of self-sacrifice and struggle, to
assure them of the victory of faith and righteousness over unbelief and lawlessness.
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