Following his participation in the enthronement of the new Bishop of Ireland and Iceland on Saturday, Archbishop-elect Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” Parish in Dublin.
During the homily following the Gospel reading, Archbishop-elect Atanasie explained the meaning of repentance to the faithful.
“Repentance always requires much prayer; the two are inseparable and must always go hand in hand,” said the Archbishop-elect. He emphasized that through repentance, the image of God in man is mystically restored, and the relationship between the believer and the Creator is renewed.
His Grace then encouraged forgiveness and gratitude, saying, “These heal the past and give purpose to the future, transforming (spiritual) poverty into abundance, (heartfelt) sadness into joy, (mental) turmoil into peace, and the darkness (of the innermost being) into light. And this light allows us to know the Lord and to taste of Life!”
In light of Saturday’s enthronement ceremony, Archbishop-elect Atanasie congratulated Bishop Nectarie and all the spiritual children of the new Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland. He prayed that God would pour out His grace and abundant gifts upon all the clergy and faithful of the diocese.
Photo: Diocese of Italy
