Bishop Panteleimon, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church, clarified his position on family obedience.
As part of a live broadcast on the Internet, one of the spectators asked a question about how to build a relationship with her spouse. Bishop Panteleimon advised this woman “first to stop criticizing” her husband.
“It is equally important for the husband to refuse to criticize his wife, but show love and care for her,” the bishop told Interfax on Sunday. According to the bishop, “if the husband or wife cannot restrain themselves and still criticize each other, they can take on an internal obligation: to refuse what they like for a while”.
The bishop is convinced that in the current alarming situation, it is very important to maintain peace in the family with your loved ones, to refrain from criticism, to try to support each other, and to show love for your family and everyone who needs help.
“We all need to learn to understand another person, to sympathize with him. Our criticism – to one’s husband or vice versa – can provoke tension in relationships. It is crucial to avoid this,” Bishop Panteleimon emphasized.