Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand highlighted on Sunday the suffering of Romanians living abroad, who often face the pain of losing loved ones who remained in Romania. “Christians weep, but they weep with hope,” the bishop said.
His Grace concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand at the Parish of St Philothea of Argeș in Melbourne, Australia.
It was the first time the two hierarchs had served together in this community since the ordination of the new assistant bishop.
God sees us
Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific explained that the Saviour Jesus Christ comes to meet people in their suffering, even when they do not ask Him for help.
He emphasised that the Saviour’s mercy consoles everyone experiencing hardship, including those who can no longer find the strength to pray.
“Because her tears reached Him without words. The Evangelist first says, when He saw her: Christ saw her before she saw Him.”
“This is a great consolation for all of us who, at times, during difficult moments, can no longer pray and feel that God does not see us. He does see us, and the tear we shed with our hearts turned towards Him is already a prayer,” the assistant bishop emphasised.
Consolation for Romanians in the diaspora
The bishop spoke about the suffering of Romanians living far from their homeland who, because of the distance, cannot always be with their families during difficult times.
“Many of us who live far from home know well the pain of receiving a telephone call telling us that our father or mother has died in Romania. Sometimes we cannot attend the funeral; at other times, we arrive too late, and we weep alone at home, on the other side of the world.”
“To all those who grieve, Christ still says today: ‘Do not weep!’ He knows how painful separation is, but He assures us that those who have fallen asleep are in God’s hands and that we will see them again,” His Grace emphasised.
‘Let us reflect on the Saviour’s mercy’
The assistant bishop urged the faithful to care for those who are lonely or suffering, as well as family members who have remained in Romania.
“How many widows are there in our communities, how many elderly people living alone, how many people living in care homes whom no one visits any more!”
The hierarch drew particular attention to parents waiting for their children who have moved abroad, stressing the importance of maintaining family ties.
“Let us call them, visit them and offer them a kind word, because every time we do so, God visits His people through us.”
“Let us reflect on the mercy of the Saviour, who stopped before a mother’s grief without being asked, on His hand, which touched the coffin and brought life where there was death, and on the hope of the Resurrection, which no one can take away from us,” Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific said in conclusion.
The Parish of St Philothea of Argeș in Melbourne is served by Fr Claudiu Moruțan.
Its congregation consists largely of young people, both Romanians and Australians, who were baptised in the Orthodox Church.
