Lenten Message

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Northern Europe issues seven Lenten guidelines for spiritual renewal

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of Northern Europe has offered seven pastoral guidelines for spiritual renewal during Great Lent, urging the faithful to turn the fasting season into a time of reconciliation with God and neighbour, and of concrete solidarity with those who suffer. Ascetic struggle during Lent The bishop called believers to embrace ascetic…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Message by Patriarch John X of Antioch at the beginning of Great Lent 2020

The Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East published Patriarch John X’s message to the faithful at the beginning of Holy and Great Lent 2020. His Beatitude highlighted fasting as a self-transformative journey which can only be accomplished into Christ: “a person is their own master as long as they lean on God”. The essence…

Mar 4, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Lenten Message focuses on ascetism as common vocation for all faithful

Ascetism takes center stage in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Lenten message this year, which represents a common vocation for all faithful without exception. ‘Asceticism is Christianity in its entirety,’ Patriarch Bartholomew wrote in his catechetical homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent published March 4, 2019. ‘The purpose of ascesis is the transcendence of…

Mar 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu