asceticism

Romanian Bishop of Canada says Great Lent is an invitation to light and joy

The beginning of Great Lent resounds in the Church’s hymnography as an unexpected invitation to light, Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada said in a message issued for the occasion. “Great Lent is a season which, although it calls for bodily and spiritual effort on our part, remains a time of light and of the joy…

Feb 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch says asceticism leads to genuine freedom in Great Lent message

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has issued a catechetical homily ahead of Great Lent 2026, emphasising that ascetic struggle — properly understood — reveals the true freedom of the Christian life. In his message, made public by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarch Bartholomew described Great Lent as a time for repentance, prayer, humility and spiritual vigilance,…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Assist. Bishop Timotei at Cernica: Saint Dumitru Stăniloae led a life of hidden asceticism and profound humility

The Confessor Priest Saint Dumitru Stăniloae led a life of unseen asceticism, profound humility, and tireless labour for the Church and his fellow human beings, said His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, on Friday at Cernica Monastery. The official reception of the relics of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae took place…

Oct 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, Archbishop Irineu says

“The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, hunger and satiety, redirecting their longing toward contemplating heavenly realities. This helps them walk in the renewal of life (Romans 6:4), living as a child of the resurrection (Luke 20:36),” Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia emphasized in a message on Clean Monday at…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Andrei at Cluj monastic synaxis: Asceticism does not weaken the body but rather strengthens it

On Thursday, His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei presided over the synaxis of monastics from the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, held at the “Protection of the Mother of God” Monastery in Florești. The gathering began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița. In his opening address at the monastic synaxis, Metropolitan…

Oct 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch: Great Lent is an invitation to discover the Church as a place and way of sanctification

“Holy and Great Lent is an invitation for us to discover the Church as a place and way of sanctification and sanctity, as a foretaste and image of the splendid radiance, of the fullness of life and of the complete joy in the eschatological Kingdom,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople highlighted in his catechetical homily…

Mar 4, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu