Homilies

God changes hearts through His overwhelming goodness, not punishment, Patriarch Daniel says

“God wants to change the hearts and lives of people not so much through punishment, illness, troubles, or rebukes, but especially through His overwhelming goodness,” said Patriarch Daniel on Sunday in his sermon about Zacchaeus, the tax collector. “Since the Lord Christ did not rebuke Zacchaeus but honoured him with a visit to his house,…

Jan 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel reflects on Saint Joseph, legal father of Baby Jesus: Man’s salvation is prepared in a faithful family

„Among people, the one who helped Baby Jesus the most was Righteous Joseph,” said Patriarch Daniel on Sunday. „Joseph was not the father of the Baby, who is born eternally from the Father without a mother, as God, and was born on earth from a mother without a father, as Man. But Joseph is the…

Dec 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Homily: The world is sanctified through Christ’s birth as a divine gift for humanity

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presided over the festal Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Wednesday, marking the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, and explained that “by coming into the world, Jesus sanctifies the world as a gift from God to humanity.” His Beatitude referred to the Saviour’s humble obedience to God the…

Dec 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holidays are no excuse or obstacle to doing good for our neighbour, Patriarch Daniel explains

On Sunday, during the Divine Liturgy at the historical chapel of “St. George the Great Martyr” at the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the necessity of performing good deeds at all times, even on holy days. Goodness Knows No Rest His Beatitude explained that no occasion, including religious celebrations, should prevent believers from…

Dec 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Nicholas has become a symbol of Christian civilization centered on generosity

“Throughout the centuries, Saint Nicholas has become a symbol of a Christian civilization where generosity holds a central place,” said Patriarch Daniel in his homily on Friday. “He became popular not because he was highly educated, built extensively, or wrote prolifically, but because he showed great humble and merciful love. He defended the oppressed, the…

Dec 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Jesus desires restoration of health and renewal of personal connection with God

“Jesus desires that, along with the restoration of people’s health, their personal connection with God—the Source of life and all beneficial gifts—also be renewed,” said Patriarch Daniel on Sunday, referencing the Gospel account of the healing of the blind man of Jericho. “That is why Jesus asks the blind man, What do you want me…

Dec 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Fasting alone is not enough without acts of mercy

“It is not enough to abstain from harming others; one must also do much good to achieve salvation,” Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful last Sunday during his sermon at the Chapel of St. George the Great Martyr in the Patriarchal Residence. Reflecting on the Gospel reading about Christ’s dialogue with a rich young ruler (Luke…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

2024 St. Demetrius celebrations: Patriarch Daniel reflects on healing and resurrection, as Bucharest temporarily houses St Lazarus relic

Healing and resurrection took centre stage in the sermon delivered Sunday by Patriarch Daniel to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Bucharest for the feast of St. Demetrius the New and to venerate the honoured relics of St. Lazarus brought from Cyprus. Patriarch Daniel was joined in service by the Archbishop of Cyprus and other hierarchs.…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel welcomes relic of St. Lazarus: A powerful symbol of victory over death

“Saint Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Christ Himself, is a powerful symbol of victory over death and God’s boundless love for humanity,” emphasized Patriarch Daniel in his address to pilgrims during the reception of the holy relics of St. Lazarus on Thursday. On Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the honourable skull…

Oct 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Paraskeva shows us that holiness does not depend on age

Saint Paraskeva “shows us that holiness does not depend on age,” said Patriarch Daniel on Monday. “You don’t need to be advanced in age to be holy; rather, the intensity of faith, piety, kindness, or merciful love demonstrates the holiness of Christ at work in those who carry His merciful love in their hearts.” His…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s sermon: If a person prays, they are no longer alone

One conclusion of the Gospel reading for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost is that “if a person prays, they are no longer alone, even if they are in solitude,” according to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Essentially, the Gospel about Jesus walking on the sea and calming the storm shows us that strong faith in Christ…

Aug 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu