06/20/2026
You condemn man to slavery, when his nature is free and possesses free will… You legislate in competition with God… bringing him under the yoke of slavery, as though defying and fighting against the divine decree. If God does not enslave what is free, who is he that sets his own power above God’s?” — St. Gregory of Nyssa 4th century
"You condemn man to slavery, when his nature is free and possesses free will… You legislate in competition with God… bringing him under the yoke of slavery, as though defying and fighting against the divine decree. If God does not enslave what is free, who is he that sets his own power above God’s?” — St. Gregory of Nyssa 4th century
I have seen posts saying Juneteenth cannot be celebrated by Orthodox Catholic Christians. This is false.
Look at the graphic in our post.
That is St. Gregory of Nyssa. He was a great leader in the early Church. Way back in the fourth century, he spoke out fiercely against slavery. He argued that God made humans free. He said anyone who owns another person is trying to act higher than God.
Juneteenth marks the end of chattel slavery in America. Celebrating the end of an evil system is exactly what our faith is about. God loves freedom. He wants his children to live with dignity.
When we celebrate Juneteenth, we honor the truths that St. Gregory preached long ago. We cheer for human dignity.
Do not let online posts make you feel like you have to choose between your culture and your faith, as thought they are always automatically mutually opposed. (Sometimes but not all the time).
Loving freedom is what makes us Christians. Celebrating Juneteenth is a beautiful way to remember that God's desire for freedom still breaks chains today.