“Prayer united with repentance and fasting helps sinners become saints, as shown in the life of Saint Mary of Egypt,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said.
The Patriarch took part on Sunday in the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence.
Crucifying the Bodily Passions
Patriarch Daniel recounted the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, highlighting her repentance and her resolve to turn away from her former sinful life.
“She crucified her selfish bodily passions and attained the resurrection of the soul from the death caused by sin, sanctifying both soul and body through the help of divine grace,” he said.
He added that the saint has become a model of repentance for all people: “The grace of God transforms the sinner who repents sincerely and deeply, making him a partaker of the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven even in this life.”
Humble Service
Reflecting on the Gospel readings of the fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Patriarch said they show that “the selfish desire for primacy and domination is healed through humble service”.
Referring to the request of the sons of Zebedee for precedence, he recalled Christ’s response—“You do not know what you ask”—and His call to share in suffering: “The cup that I drink you will drink, and the baptism with which I am baptised you will be baptised”.
“We too, like the disciples of the Lord Jesus, can be tempted by pride or worldly glory, by the desire to be greater or more appreciated than others,” Patriarch Daniel warned.
True Honour
The Patriarch of Romania emphasised the true measure of greatness, citing the Gospel: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
“Humble love for God and neighbour, expressed through service to others, is the path that leads to salvation,” he said.
He concluded that “true honour or dignity comes from being a humble servant and a compassionate helper to others, regardless of one’s rank in the community or society”.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
