When a serious disaster happens, many people say that you would not wish such a thing on your enemy. People are used to saying goodbye and wishing each other good luck in any business. But it turns out it's better not to. And above all, the Orthodox should abstain from this. Why? Today we will try to answer this question.
What or who is luck?
According to the definition of scientific encyclopedias, luck is a special positive event that occurred in a combination of uncontrollable and unpredictable circumstances. This can also include the happy ending of any action that occurred without the intervention of the person concerned. And perhaps, somewhere even against his will. But it's scientific!
In Orthodoxy, luck has a negative meaning. And Archimandrite Cleopas (Ilie) even wrote in his writings that this is another name for the demon - Moloch. He expressed such a point of view that “it was one of the biggest and most powerful demons that mowed down millions of innocent children's souls.a greater sin."
Who is Moloch really?
Moloch (Luck) - the god of happiness among the Carthaginians, Sumerians and Romans. His statue, cast from a significant amount of silver or copper, was taken around the cities on a large two-wheeled cart. In front of the statue was a copper frying pan, in which oil was boiling. Behind was a stove made of the same material. The fire in it was constantly maintained by the priests walking nearby. These people held large and sharply sharpened axes in their hands, loudly clapped their hands and called those who wished from outside, shouting: “Who wants good luck, make a sacrifice to Good Luck!” Seems to be no big deal, right? But…
Why was Moloch terrible?
Ancient Romans, especially women, without hesitation, could answer why one should not wish good luck to a person. The thing is that Moloch was very fond of accepting bloody sacrifices. And as it most often acted infants - the first-born of noble and not very families. Children were taken and thrown into a terrible fire. It was believed that the torment of burning children brought pleasure to the God of Luck, and the tears of mothers quenched his intense thirst.
In gratitude, the “cruel ruler of the country of tears” was supposed to give the family that made such a sacrifice good luck, prosperity and a rich harvest. Be that as it may, it was once believed that it was such a sacrifice that saved Carthage from destruction. This madness continued until 586 BC. e., i.e., up to the Babylonian captivity. And this is despite the fact that, according to the law of Moses, by that time they had alreadywere banned.
How do Christians feel about Luck?
It is clear that such cruelty could not arouse the approval of Orthodox people. They considered Moloch a real fiend. They talked about the fact that to wish relatives or even enemies you need the well-being and help of God, and not the "devil's offspring." And they forbade their children to even mention the name of the bloodthirsty demon. However, this was not the only reason why one should not wish good luck to the Orthodox.
There is another one, not so terrible. Christians simply believe that all events are sent or allowed by the Almighty. The Lord, according to beliefs, gives every person the opportunity to be saved after the Last Judgment and return to the "promised land". And it is the hope in God, and not in an unintended accident, that will help them. The providence of God is what all Orthodox believe in. There is even a whole parable on this occasion. You can read it below.
What does the parable say about God's providence?
One hermit, knowing why it is impossible to wish good luck in Orthodoxy, asked God to reveal the ways of His providence and began to fast. Once he went on a long journey, on the way he met a monk (it was an Angel) and offered to be a companion. He agreed. Toward evening they lodged with a pious man, who offered them food on a silver saucer. But, to the surprise of the hermit and the owner of the house, the monk, after eating food, took the dishes and threw them into the sea. Well, no one said anything, travelersmove on.
The next day the hermit and the monk stayed with another husband. But here is the trouble! Before the road, the owner decided to bring his little son to his guests so that they would bless him. But the monk touched the boy and took his soul. The elder and the father of the child, dumbfounded with horror, could not utter a word. The satellites are gone again. On the third day they stayed in a dilapidated house. The hermit sat down to eat, and his "friend" dismantled and reassembled the wall. Here the old man could not stand it any longer and asked why he was doing all this, for some such purpose.
Then the monk confessed that he was in fact an Angel of God. and explained his actions. As it turned out, the first owner of the house was a charitable person, but that dish was acquired by him by untruth. Therefore, the dishes had to be thrown away so that the man would not lose his reward. The second owner is also charitable, but his son, if he grew up, would become a real villain, capable of the most malicious deeds. And the third husband is a lazy and immoral person. His grandfather, who built the house, hid precious gold in the wall. But the owner through it could die in the future. So I had to fix the wall to prevent this from happening.
In conclusion, the Angel ordered the elder to return to his cell and not think about anything in particular, because, as the Holy Spirit says, "the ways of the Lord are inscrutable." Therefore, you should not try them, there will be no benefit from this. God gives everything - sorrow, joy, and sin. But one is according to good will, another is according to economy, and the third is according to allowance (Luke 2:14). And everything depends on His will. However, as well as from yours. For the Lorddoes not take away a person's freedom of choice. And luck, as you can see, has no place here.
Why is it impossible to wish good luck according to folk signs?
People who are not inclined to believe in God or Moloch have their own signs regarding fortune. For example, doctors. If you ask any of them why it is impossible to wish good luck to doctors, at first there will be a short silence. Well, after that you will hear that any wish, for example, “Good night!”, “Have a nice day!” or "Good luck in business", will lead to the fact that the entire watch will be very restless, fussy and unhappy. For the same reason, doctors in the hospital should not be told after the operation that everything is fine and nothing hurts. Surgeons (and not only them) run from such phrases like fire.
If you want to thank the doctor or say goodbye to him, say simple phrases "Thank you!" and "Goodbye!". And do not forget that according to popular signs, if you wish any person, not only a doctor, good luck, you can invite the evil eye or trouble, “turn away” fortune from a person, or cause damage. And also to call misfortune into the life of the interlocutor. Of course, you may not believe it, but it's still better to be careful. As they say, what if?!
Why can't you wish good luck before an exam?
They say that in order to successfully pass the exams, a student must, according to signs, remain unshaven until the moment of their onset, refuse to buy new clothes in favor of “happy”, enlist the support of a brownie and get up on the appropriate dayonly on the left foot. Superstition, of course. But one thing almost all students take seriously. Many of them refuse to wish success to fellow students, say "no fluff, no feather" and receive a playful wish "to hell with it." But to the question of why it is impossible to wish good luck on the exam, they answer that if this is done, 2 or 3 will show off in the standings, despite lengthy preparation and knowledge.
But then how can you wish for success?
If you encounter a person who sincerely believes that good luck cannot be wished on, do not refuse to communicate with him. Just try to choose a more soulful phrase, depending on the situation. For example, the words are perfect for wishing success: “All the best!”, “All the best!” or "Hope for the best!" You can even say the Star Wars line, "May the force be with you!" Or even show fingers crossed. It is believed that this is also a special wish for success. If the person is already very close, you can also say: "Pulverize them!", "Tear them" or "I know you can handle it." And it will only be for the good! Well, or just hug him and say parting words.
Video on the topic: "On understanding the word "Luck"
We invite you to watch a video where Archpriest Vladimir Golovin tells why the word "Luck" is not entirely good and how an Orthodox person should react to it. We think it will be useful and interesting for many.
As a conclusion
You can believe that good luck is not to be desired or not. But, as you know, even in a joke there is a grain of truth. So maybe you shouldn't do it. At least in order not to put a person and his fate in direct dependence on something unpredetermined, impersonal and random. Well, if you suddenly want to wish success, just say: “God help you!” - or one of those phrases that we cited in this article. Love to you and all the best!
