from the Office of His Apostolic Highness the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia 30 January 2025 Read also the Canonical Status of the Church. Read also about the Temporal Rights of the Church. The Office of His Apostolic Highness has announced a Christ First agenda. This is a reiteration of his continuous agenda and indeed the 2000-year agenda of Christ's Holy Church. In a world increasingly divided by nationalism, partisanship, and secular ambitions, we, as Apostolic, Orthodox, and Catholic Christians, affirm a higher allegiance: Christ First – Always. The Church Above the State: The Kingdom of God is not of this world (John 18:36), and the Church, as the Body of Christ, stands above any earthly authority. While nations rise and fall, the Church remains eternal, calling all people to salvation. No government, ideology, or political system can claim supremacy over Christ’s teachings or the mission of His Church. The Church also affirms that only those political acts that are in accord with and built upon the Apostolic faith can be considered legitimate or good, for all true goodness flows from God. Nationalism Is Not Christian: The Church does not serve national interests but the Gospel. St. Paul reminds us that “there is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Nationalism, which places the interests of one people above universal Christian truth, contradicts the unity of the Church and distorts the Christian mission. Leaders as Instruments of Christ: Civil rulers have authority only insofar as they serve as instruments of God’s justice and righteousness. “By Me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just” (Proverbs 8:15). No leader can govern rightly unless he humbly submits to Christ, seeking to align his decisions with the teachings of the Apostolic faith. Power is not an end in itself but a responsibility before God. A Call to Christian Leaders: We call upon all those in positions of authority—whether in government, society, or the Church—to place Christ above all else. This means rejecting policies driven by greed, pride, or division and embracing the authentic Apostolic Christian path in governance, law, and social life. True leadership is not about dominance but about service, as Christ Himself taught: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Let us remember: Our first and final allegiance is to Christ, the King of Kings, before any earthly nation or leader. May all who seek to lead do so in His name, for His glory, and in accordance with His will. Christ First – Always. Христос Вседержитель – всегда на первом месте! Christus Omnipotens – primus et super omnia.

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