There are primarily four types of superstition:
- Superstition manifesting within churches (such as opening the church door in a specific way, kurban sacrifices, lighting a specific number of candles, methods of lighting them, leaving coins on icons, leaving other objects or pieces of clothing to “remain” in the church, and other practices, often observed during weddings, etc.);
- Superstition manifesting through visits to charmers (soothsayers, fortune tellers, spiritual healers, etc.);
- Superstition manifesting through folk customs and belief in horoscopes and the decisive influence of stars;
- When priests themselves promote superstition.
A particular concern arises when priests themselves promote superstition. For example, it sometimes happens that some priests perform a Holy Sacrament (such as Baptism, Marriage, etc.) while simultaneously incorporating elements of superstition (such as tying knots with cloth during a Wedding, changing the water for Baptism or using two different fonts for the two different genders, etc.). However, that is a topic for another time. For now, we will simply mention that a priest, as a shepherd, should transform people’s superstition into true faith rather than promoting it. It is much easier to turn a superstitious person into a believer than to convert an atheist into a believer. At least, that should be an easy task for the clergy, given the current level of spiritual development.
The worst of all superstitions is that which involves going to charmers and similar practitioners, the most insidious is that which is expressed and spread through folk customs, the most scandalous are horoscopes, and the most foolish is that which is practiced within churches, especially when it occurs with the knowledge or assistance of ignorant priests, or in rare cases, in cooperation between charmers and such priests.
What is the difference between faith and superstition? Faith always involves correct (Orthodox) belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; personal effort (self-sacrifice) in fulfilling God’s commandments; participation in the Holy Mysteries of the Church (Baptism, Confession, Communion, etc.); and building a personal relationship with God.
Superstition is incorrect (magical) belief; personal effort (or self-sacrifice) is almost nonexistent—especially not in fulfilling God’s commandments; participation in the Holy Mysteries of the Church is almost absent, and when it does exist, it is practiced as a magical act and never (in superstition) involves building a personal relationship with God. The act is performed solely for some sort of luck, health, or other gain and interest. The superstitious person is more afraid of making a mistake in their superstitious actions than they are of breaking the commandments of the Living God. Superstition is the most primitive form of belief.
Another important distinction that must be mentioned is that in the struggle of faith, God’s grace is always present, while demonic, terrifying thoughts, influences, and temptations are constant companions of superstition. The action of God’s grace is such that a person never feels alone, insecure, or fearful; and not only that, but they always feel protected, joyful or comforted, courageous, and full of hope and life’s light—even in the greatest misfortunes that may befall them. The superstitious person, however, often feels alone, insecure, and fearful (due to demonic thoughts—fear of making a mistake based on what the charmer told them or what the folk custom or horoscope dictates, and fear that everything will go wrong) and is characterized by various noticeable neurotic manifestations—there is no control over their thoughts, feelings, and certainly not over their words and actions (not to mention personality disorders and psychoses as consequences, if there is a psychological predisposition). The superstitious person is often unhappy and dissatisfied, prone to various addictions. Their greatest “joy” is euphoria, and they are often depressed. Faith is a life with meaning and purpose, while superstition is a meaningless and purposeless life.
As for obvious superstitions, such as going to charmers for making black or white magic, or believing in the decisive influence of stars, there is no need to discuss further. But the superstition in folk customs, which often occur during joyful events (weddings, baptisms, holidays, building projects, the start of a business, etc.) or sad events (funerals, illnesses, and various other misfortunes from which a person seeks deliverance), as well as the superstition that manifests in churches, should be especially and continuously addressed and reminded, as it is still prevalent among the people. As mentioned earlier, it is the duty of priests, who constantly and directly encounter these phenomena in the field, to address this. Especially since superstition is so widespread and dangerous that it deprives our entire nation of God’s grace and gradually but surely delivers it into the hands of its enemies.
It is important to note that the principle is the same in all four types of superstition: if a person performs a certain act—whether it is sacrificing an animal (so-called kurban), or fulfilling something a charmer commands (wearing an amulet or any other act), or following a folk custom for a specific event, or acting according to a horoscope—they “believe” that faithfully following the custom (or rule) will bring them health, happiness, or some other benefit or interest. In other words, the person “believes” that in some automatic (magical) way, without God, simply by performing a certain act or (less often) by not doing something, without any effort or with little money, they will achieve their desires and interests.
Since in the entire magical approach to life, personal relationship and communion with God almost do not exist as an option, and personal effort, repentance, and confession, as well as Communion with the Holy Mysteries of Christ, are usually not even mentioned, the following logical question arises for those who engage in such practices: If you do not serve God and do not commune with Him, have you asked yourselves whose servants you are and who helps you in fulfilling your expectations? Because the demon is a liar and a murderer from the beginning and may fulfill some of your magical requests (if God allows it because of your persistence in the sin of superstition), just enough to capture your soul, and once you fall into his hands, he will certainly drag you down the path he has chosen. But that path is not the true Way, Life, and Truth—it is not the eternal love and freedom of the God-man Jesus Christ, but eternal destruction of both soul and body.
Therefore, for the sake of the Mother of God, O Lord, be merciful to us and grant us repentance and enlightenment so that we may recognize and turn away from every demonic superstition, which separates us from You and Your Kingdom.
S.N.S.
