Bishop Tikhon's address on the eve of the new millennium, January,1901

We often ascribe to time much significance, which, in reality, does not pertain to it. We say, for example, that years age us; that time, above all, heals our wounds, reconciles us with losses, tempers our grief, that it is the testing ground of love, attachment, friendship; that it disperses darkness and brings light; that it is a great energy and a powerful force, that time, as is often said here, is money. All of these statements must, of course, be understood in a figurative sense. In these statements is the poetical expression not of time itself, but of various forces which only act within time. In and of itself, time is simply a formula for expressing a chronological sequence, and an indicator of changes in things. Consequently, in and of itself, time cannot create something new, and, if we reflect on this sensibly, it is not what we can demand or expect. Thus, if this is true, is there any significance or impact to our lives in the comin of the new year and century?

Usually, as the old year ends and a new one begins, we reflect on the past, recalling what we have done and making plans for future activity. This kind of “contemplation” and introspection is beneficial, as it obliges us to see how far we still are from the exemplary (the ideal), and compels us to strive for self-perfection. Unfortunately, we don’t practice this introspection often; instead we live a superficial life, which is always full of frivolity, concern for the worldly, gratification, riches, power, glory. “We strive to live the way everyone lives,” “in the ways of the world,” in other words, we devote our time to work, business, receptions, travel, recreation, etc. In this kind of life, however, our soul remains hungry, for it is surrounded by a kind of worldly crust, which suppresses its perception of the spiritual, the exalted, the heavenly.

In this kind of life, according to Fr. John of Kronstadt: “The body thrives, but the soul wilts; the body is spacious, but the soul is crowded; the body is satiated, but the soul is hungry; the body is embellished, but the soul is disfigured; the body is fragrant, but the soul is malodorous; the body rejoices, but the soul is distressed; the body is radiant, but the soul is in darkness.” “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (St. Matthew16:26). This, however, is not real life “nor the living age” but “is false and temporal”…For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, it is within you (see St. Luke 17:21 and Romans 14:7) and the quicker we assimilate it into ourselves, the more we take care of our souls, the better we can enter into ourselves…”