Third Discourse of Father John of Kronstadt on the Lutheran and Anglican Faith

The priesthood of the Orthodox Church does according to the commandment of the Lord a work of infinite importance, of immeasurable goodness, a work of supernatural power, of God: it enlightens, purifies and renews people through the performance of the Mysteries and spiritual direction. Only God alone, or those among men to whom God Himself gives grace and power and His strength—can renew a man corrupted by sin, to renew and enlighten themselves and strengthen themselves in new life, and renew others, sanctify them, guide them with God’s authority, with spiritual authority. A fallen man, corrupted, cannot otherwise rise and renew himself except through deep repentance and the absolution of sins by spiritual authority and through partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ—necessarily and the Blood—under the special form of wine, as the Lord appointed, and not without the Blood—must receive the absolution of sins from an Orthodox priest having legitimate ordination and authority given by God—the Body and Blood from a legitimate Orthodox priest, not from a papist or Lutheran, who do not give the Blood of Christ! O, human folly! O, deceit, the woven trickery of lies! The papists have deprived the laity of the Blood of Christ, shed for the cleansing of sins. O, headless authority acting contrary to the true head—Christ God! O, Lutherans, who have lost the grace and truth of the Mysteries! How can you give grace to others when you have not the Spirit of Christ, the truth and righteousness of Christ? Protestants and Reformed, pastors and archpastors, tell us how you can renew the people and guide them to a holy life when you yourselves have not the grace and authority of power and strength from the Holy Spirit, which you cannot receive anywhere except in the holy Orthodox Church? Tell us how you can accomplish the work of renewing mankind, which only God can do and he to whom He has given His grace and authority through episcopal ordination? You have no priesthood; how have you dared to take upon yourselves such a work, which exceeds your power? You do not renew yourselves, and you do not renew, do not sanctify and do not purify the people.