Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) reflects on this topic.

Unfortunately, we have to state that many people associate the day of remembrance of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called with fortune-telling. In terms of the scale of distribution, this has become an ill-fated «folk tradition».

Fortune telling and witchcraft can in no way be compatible with the Orthodox faith. Even in the Old Testament, God through the prophet Jeremiah condemns sorcery: «So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers… For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish» (Jer. 27:9-10).

Modern society is very influenced by various occult practices that try to synthesize the provisions of the Christian faith with other religions, convincing the society that there is nothing wrong with the fact that, honoring the True God, a person from time to time will resort to fortune-tellers, psychics and sorcerers. The Apostle Paul, along with other mortal sins, names the sin of idolatry and magic: «Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God» (Gal. 5:19-21).

Probably the most common reason for a person to turn to fortune-tellers is long-standing spiritual problems that were acquired by a sinful life. A person sees the reasons not in him/herself, but in any external circumstances: the induction of damage, a love spell or a generic curse. Such people trust the old woman more than God, and forget about the most important remedy for all mental ailments – the Sacrament of the Eucharist. But it is worth remembering the rather strict attitude towards those Christians who violated the ban on fortune telling in the Ancient Church. Canon 83 of St. Basil the Great prescribes: those who turned to magicians or other fortunetellers should be subjected to the «rule of six years of repentance», that is, excommunicated from Holy Communion for six years.

According to popular belief, on the day of memory of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, girls are wondering about their future spouse. The desire to know one’s own destiny «in advance» borders on distrust of God. Instead of praying for a happy marriage and a kind spouse, a «harmless» magical act is preferred.

The sphere of services of mediums is very extensive: from the opportunity to get answers to your questions up to the spell of the object of desire. And few people think, and hardly know, that any demonic intervention, even more so done by «human desire», will inevitably entail very sad consequences in life, when it is no longer the person himself, but the enemy of the human race will perform it destiny. The trouble is that a person practically cannot resist the demonic action: he allowed it, deliberately chose, subsequently exhausted from suffering and misfortune.

Meanwhile, the path to the arrangement of personal happiness is always open – everyone has the opportunity to call on the Almighty and Merciful God for help and, trusting in Him, will certainly receive all those benefits that are necessary at a certain point in time in an amount sufficient for salvation so as not to harm the soul.

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich),
Managing director of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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