Love for our Neighbor

I would now like to share with you how the Orthodox Church understands love for our neighbor. This is not something optional—it is at the very center of our faith, because Christ Himself commanded it.

Love of neighbor is the second great commandment. When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). Love for God and love for neighbor cannot be separated.

Our neighbor includes everyone. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), Jesus showed that our neighbor is not just our family or friends, but anyone in need—even those who are different from us. Love knows no boundaries.

Love must be shown in action. Saint John writes: “Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Love is not only feelings—it is acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service.

Loving others is loving Christ. Jesus said: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Every act of mercy toward others is an act of love for Christ Himself.

Forgiveness is part of love. Jesus taught us to forgive: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). Love means letting go of anger and offering mercy, just as God has forgiven us.

Love is the mark of true discipleship. Jesus said: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The Orthodox Church teaches that the best witness we can give to the world is a life of genuine Christian love.

Love for neighbor is at the heart of the Gospel. To love God is to love others, and to love others is to show Christ to the world.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: Humility