An Interview
with Fr. Elias (Morcos), published in Majallat al-Nour(issue no. 4, 2010).
Who
is Fr. Elias (Morcos)?
 |
| Archimandrite Elias (Morcos). |
How was the situation in the Church in Lattakia prior to the
founding of the Movement?
The general situation was
good. Most people prayed and went to the liturgy, however education was weak
prior to the founding of the Movement.
With personal piety and serious commitment to the Church, we came to be concerned with the general situation of the Church and we saw that a revival was necessary. So the revival movement began, and we started to gather young people together and to teach and to follow the practices of the Church.
How were your connections to
Jibrail Saadeh and Georges Khodr?
We had a strong connection with Jibrail Saadeh and Georges Khodr
(the former metropolitan of Mount Lebanon), however it was circumstances of
studying that led to a single knowledge and effort. Studying law in Beirut led
to the cooperation and common effort led to the particular work of revival.
Does monasticism in Antioch
have any particular characteristic? How was the Monastery of St. George, Deir
el-Harf founded?
Monasticism in Antioch did not have any particular characteristic
other than true zeal and sacrifice for the sake of realizing it. Thus the
Monastery of St. George was founded in Deir el-Harf. Met. Elia (Karam) adopted
us and offered for us to go to the Monastery of St. George which was empty. We
remained there with strong enthusiasm by the grace of the Lord. Monasticism was
not very difficult in Deir el-Harf, but it did not attract a large number,
perhaps because of our lack of expertise in the work, but the experience was
original and profound.
How do you rate the Movement
today?
 |
| Father Elias with Metropolitan Georges in one of the meetings of the Orthodox movement. |
Naturally, things have changed and the Movement does not keep the
first spirit. This is something natural. We have been freed from various
passions as much as possible, while lust of power has not taken us captive.
Perhaps this is because it was a covenant blessed by the will of God. The abbot
of the monastery did not act according to passion, by the grace of God,
naturally.
How do you see spiritual fatherhood?
As for spiritual fatherhood, I see that it was weak on account of a
lack of previous experience. But God provides help.
Is the angelic life really realized in the monastery?
The angelic life must be lived in the monastery, but everything
remains a holy effort according to the measure of human ability. The conditions
for acceptance into the monastery are first of all a profound desire for life
and for liberation from everything, and this is a rare grace.
What is your message to members of the Movement?
My message to members of the Movement is the necessity for constant
renewal in continuous practical endeavor and in the life of the heart that is
conscious and open to the work of God. The current dispute between the
hierarchs and the members of the movement is real to a great extent. However,
new heirarchs have started to change this, by God's grace and blessing, and we
pray that this change will continue.
What are the monastery's resources?
The monastery's resources come from selling books, icons, honey,
and pine nuts, as well donations.
What are the monastery's publications?
Our publications are well-known and they deal with the personal
spiritual life, liturgical life, spiritual guidance, and the lives of saints.
Reference:
http://araborthodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-fr-elias-morcos-from.html