“Goodness is not truly good unless it is shared with others. Because joy, too, is not truly joy unless you share it with others, unless you allow others to share in your joy,” said His Grace Bishop Siluan of Italy on Sunday.
The hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Romanian Orthodox Church of St Daniel the Hesychast in Piacenza, Italy, where he also blessed the parish’s new community centre.
In his homily, Bishop Siluan reflected on the parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus, encouraging the faithful not to hesitate to do good and to be attentive to their neighbours.
What the rich man should have done
“The torment of hell is the torment that arises in a person’s conscience: the regret and anguish of not having chosen God, of not having sought God or of having rejected God, and of not having done the good that one could have done,” the Bishop explained.
“What should the rich man have done to avoid ending up where he did? At least give a piece of bread, at least offer a glass of water, because even a glass of water is recognised and rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven. At least clothe that poor man, at least visit him and say: You poor soul, let me call a doctor to look after you.”
Salvation lies in small things
The hierarch went on to explain that doing good is not difficult and urged families to raise their children with this understanding, helping them to lead fulfilling lives.
“Salvation lies in small things, and holiness, although it is so great that it is beyond the reach of our minds and imagination, is attained through small and simple things,” Bishop Siluan said.
“Do not forget the small and simple things. Teach children to do small and simple things, and teach them to pay attention to those around them. If someone has less than they do, teach them to share something of their own, from the food they eat, from what they take to school, or from their clothing, and to say: Here, take this to that child.”
Pay attention to those around us
Bishop Siluan recalled that the parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus is read in the period leading up to the Nativity Fast, encouraging the faithful to support those in need.
“Let us spend a little less time looking at our phone screens, and let us teach children to pay attention to those around them. Because you can save a life depending on how attentive you are to the person beside you, or you can miss that moment and then regret it for the rest of your life,” the hierarch emphasised.
Ordinations and distinctions
During the Divine Liturgy, the diocesan bishop ordained Deacon Constantin Bunduc to the priesthood for the Parish of St Pancratius the Hieromartyr in Messina, Sicily.
He also ordained Monk Ilarion, a member of the monastic community of the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Spilimbergo, Italy, as a deacon.
Following the Liturgy, Bishop Siluan blessed the parish’s new community centre and awarded parish priest Fr. Iurie Ursachi the Diocesan Order of St. Dionysius Exiguus for clergy.
The priest’s wife was awarded the Diocesan Order of St Dionysius Exiguus for laypeople.
About the Piacenza parish
The Romanian Orthodox parish in Piacenza celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Initially, the parish was granted the use of the Santo Stefano church. In 2016, it received a concession to use another Catholic church, which later underwent extensive renovation and was equipped with everything needed for Orthodox worship.
In 2021, Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, then an Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, consecrated the church.
The church is located at Via San Nazzaro 18, Piacenza, Italy.
