Clean Monday

Patriarch Daniel: Fasting is ‘a school of spiritual self-restraint and gradual liberation from selfish passions’

“Fasting is not a simple exercise in hygiene or aesthetics, but a school of spiritual self-restraint, a school of purification or gradual liberation from selfish passions in order to acquire the humble and merciful love found in Jesus Christ, Who became obedient unto death—even death on the Cross,” said Patriarch Daniel on Clean Monday. The…

Feb 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praises Great Canon and calls for deeper repentance

On Monday evening, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praised the Great Canon and its author, Saint Andrew of Crete, emphasizing the importance of both its message and regular recitation. After reading the first part of the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Grace cited Archimandrite Teofil Părăian of Sâmbăta de Sus, who lamented…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: ‘Have mercy on me, o God’ is the call to the only source of eternal life – Christ

‘After every troparion of the Great Canon of Repentance of Saint Andrew of Crete we have this calling, this insistent supplication, as a breath of the Church: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,’ Patriarch Daniel said at the end of the Great Canon officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Clean Monday.…

Mar 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The purpose of fasting is to meet Christ, Patriarch Daniel says on Beginning of Great Lent

Many faithful prayed on Clean Monday during the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, officiated by Patriarch Daniel at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful present at the Great Compline officiated Feb. 27 and spoke about the meaning and benefits of fasting. His Beatitude stressed…

Mar 1, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu