Patriarchal Address on the Day of Sobriety

September 11, 2025, on the feast of the Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, the Day of Sobriety is observed. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ issued his Primatial address to all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church:

Beloved in the Lord archpastors!

Reverend fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

On this day the Holy Church recalls the event of the Beheading of the head of John the Baptist and offers us the Gospel reading about two kinds of fidelity — to good and to evil. The Forerunner is faithful to God and does not deny Him even in the face of death. Herod is also faithful, but not to the Lord — rather to his foolish oath: in order to preserve his authority in the eyes of his guests, he must keep a rashly given word. Of course, the king was distressed by Herodias’ wicked desire to kill the prophet, for he revered John as a holy man, but since his mind was clouded by intoxicating drink, he nonetheless gave the dreadful order.

“Wine is made to gladden men, but bitterness when it is drunk in excess,” says the wise Jesus, son of Sirach (Sir. 31:32–34). Only in a sober mind are we able to distinguish truth from falsehood, to make sound decisions, to struggle with the passions and not succumb to temptations — to do all that we are called to as Christians.

In order to remind people of the need always to have clear thoughts, a kind heart and a good will, the Russian Orthodox Church established the Day of Sobriety on the feast of the Beheading of John the Forerunner. It is encouraging that in recent years alcohol and tobacco consumption has decreased in our country, yet new dangerous substances have appeared, which negatively affect consciousness and distort the perception of reality. Let us remember that it is impossible to withstand these serious challenges of modernity without abstaining from vices and passions, without daily work on oneself.

Through the prayers of Saint John the Forerunner, may the Merciful Lord help us “to be sober, as we ought, and not to sin” (1 Cor. 15:34) on all our paths and throughout all the days of our life.