Clergy are not limited to merely performing official duties – they actively create a space for personal spiritual growth and the observance of high moral standards.

Sacred Devotion: Spiritual Growth Beyond Official Duties

Clergy are not limited to merely performing official duties – they actively create a space for personal spiritual growth and the observance of high moral standards. Beyond the confines of church services, clergy devote special attention to home prayer and remembrance, which allows them not only to intercede for their own needs but also to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ. Such a personal approach to ministry strengthens their faith and helps maintain a focus on eternal values.

A special place in their spiritual practice is given to liberation from worldly concerns, which allows them to dedicate time to true service to God. By avoiding distracting indulgences such as drunkenness and gambling, they follow canonical prescriptions and set a vivid example of high morality. This way of life not only sustains their spiritual state but also inspires the community to abide by strict moral principles.

Thus, besides their official church duties, clergy actively engage in strengthening their faith through personal prayers and remembrance of all people – both the living and the departed. Their pursuit of freedom from worldly affairs underscores the importance of spiritual development, making their ministry an example of genuine devotion and high moral ideals.

How do clergy spend their free time outside the official activities of the Russian Orthodox Church?

Clergy, in addition to their official church responsibilities, strive to spend their free time in ways that promote their spiritual development and the maintenance of high moral standards. For instance, they turn to personal prayer and remembrance, fulfilling their duty to intercede not only for their own needs but also for their brothers and sisters in Christ. As noted in one source, "in home prayer, Orthodox believers must fulfill their duty to pray for all their brethren, both living and dead. Here it can be done much more freely than during church services." (source: link txt)

Furthermore, there is the principle of complete liberation from worldly duties, necessary for true service, which is emphasized in the description of church service: "The special services in the Church, particularly those performed by the clergy, have always required as complete freedom as possible from any kind of worldly obligations and engagements." (source: link txt) This means that during their personal time, clergy focus on spiritual practices, carefully observing canonical prescriptions which, for example, obligate them to avoid worldly indulgences such as drunkenness and gambling: "The duties of clergy demand that they be men of high moral character. The canons prohibit them from engaging in drunkenness and gambling..." (source: link txt)

Thus, outside the official activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, clergy predominantly focus on home prayer, remembrance of others, and the observance of high moral principles that help them remain true to their spiritual calling.

Supporting citation(s):
"In home prayer, Orthodox believers must fulfill their duty to pray for all their brethren, both living and dead. Here it can be done much more freely than during church services." (source: link txt)
"The special services in the Church, particularly those performed by the clergy, have always required as complete freedom as possible from any kind of worldly obligations and engagements." (source: link txt)
"The duties of clergy demand that they be men of high moral character. The canons prohibit them from engaging in drunkenness and gambling..." (source: link txt)