Saint John Climacus

Bishop warns of rising youth addictions, distancing them from faith and family

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia on Sunday warned that an increasing number of young people are falling prey to addictions, distancing them from faith and family. His Grace officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Arenii Noi, Republic of Moldova. Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the demoniac…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Prayer united with fasting is liberating and powerful against passions and illness, says Romanian Patriarch Daniel

“Prayer united with fasting is necessary, living and powerful, liberating from passions, unclean spirits, illness and weakness,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Sunday. In his homily delivered at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the contrast between…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Humble prayer and fasting fill man with God’s sanctifying love

“Through humble prayer united with fasting, a person empties himself of ego and is filled with the humble, healing, and sanctifying love of God,” said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday at the historic “Saint George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence. In his sermon at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch of Romania…

Apr 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges believers to intensify fasting efforts: Turn physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for God

In words following the proclamation of the Gospel reading on Sunday, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the need to intensify the fasting efforts during Lent, noting that this law established in paradise reflects a hunger and thirst for God. ‘To intensify our fasting efforts means to turn our physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for…

Mar 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

‘Prayer and fast change physical hunger and thirst into spiritual hunger and thirst for God’s love’, Patriarch Daniel says

During his homily delivered on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said that ‘prayer united with fasting changes man’s physical hunger and thirst into a spiritual hunger and thirst for the love of God.’ The Patriarch of Romania offered his reflections on the day’s…

Mar 20, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu