Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou reads the e-mail of a Turkish Orthodox...

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The Metropolitan of Morphou: They send me emails from all over the world, some have sick people who want prayers, requests, others have problems to discuss, some are possessed and want exorcisms, others want to know where to go for confession. We do whatever we can. I also see the email saying 'a short thank you message from a Turkish Orthodox Christian' 'Lord have mercy,' I say, 'the Turks got us' (laughs) 'what's next?' And it writes to me as follows, listen to what our future holds: "Blessings to you Your Eminence, I am Andreas (he says another name, Christian) Turkish Orthodox Christian. I was baptized about 2 years ago. I just wanted to thank you for all the speeches you gave and the experiences of the Saints you shared with us. I watched your speeches as much as I could, because my Greek is not so good, I couldn't understand them in the original language at that time. So I only watched those with subtitles, it was a great source of education and comfort for me throughout my catechism, and even after that. I was moved when you said in your recent interview that 'a Turkish Orthodox Christian is your brother'. "The Metropolitan of Morphou: It was when I gave an interview to the Russians and some of our people filled the channels, the journalists: 'Morphou said he prays for Putin'. As if it's a sin and why should he pray? And I also said 'not only a Russian baptized anointed Orthodox is my brother, but even a Turk. Who is my enemy by nationality, but spiritually if he is baptized and anointed he is my brother. Since we came out of the same font. So I said then a Turkish Orthodox Christian is my brother. If only I knew that when I said this, the nice one, in Evrichou it would reach Ankara. Today's Andreas would see it and send me this letter. "I was moved when you said in your recent interview that 'a Turkish Orthodox Christian is your brother'. I wanted to send you a message before this, but I never had the chance to do it." "The Metropolitan of Morphou: So, this brother wanted to send this message. "I hope to meet you in person one day and maybe we will. I plan to go to Mount Athos this year to become a monk. I went to Mount Athos last year and stayed there for two weeks. Please pray for us Turkish Orthodox Christians, despite how few we are and despite the difficulties faced by those of us who are still struggling. Thank you for mentioning us in your interview, may God grant more Turkish Orthodox Christians to find Christ and find Salvation. Thank you and may God help you in your efforts. Postscript: I attach my baptism certificate below." "The Metropolitan of Morphou: And he even sent me the certificate that he is not just a letter, but I have proof that I am a Christian. These people, to be baptized in Ankara, in Constantinople, in Smyrna, the Patriarchate gave an order and acted very wisely, before they were baptized, to go to their municipality to declare 'I will cease to be a Muslim and I want to become Orthodox Christian and I take personal responsibility'. "So, another one, Suleiman (who came from Attaleia and saw me), as soon as something happens with fanatical Islamists, they know how many we are and who we are and where we live. The first ones they will kill are us, he tells me. I say 'well, what are you thinking, do you have a family, do you have children?'. 'I do,' he tells me, 'but my wife and I agreed'. 'And what did you say?'. 'we said what a great honor it is to be slaughtered for Christ and to be with Saint George!' "Wow!!! Indeed... listen to these to measure us Orthodox, whether we are worth the trouble to eat and when to eat. Above all, there is this Desire. Faith and Desire! 'When, my Christ, shall I be united with you. When, my Christ, shall I gain Eternal Life, when, my Christ, shall I have forgiveness of sins without guilt'. When we have this, whether Turkish, Greek, Persian, German, we have Eternal Life, we have Christ, we have Future and as the 'Creed' says 'and Life of the Future Age. Amen'. I wish this for you, and I wish you pray for us."