Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Christmas Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Friday. In his homily, Patriarch Daniel explained the significance of the Magi’s gifts and what type of ‘gold, myrrh and frankincense’ we can bring to the Infant Jesus and to our peers.
Concelebrants for the Divine Liturgy included the Patriarch’s auxiliary bishops Varlaam of Ploiesti and Ieronim of Sinaia.
The gifts of the Magi symbolically include the dignity and work of the Infant when He becomes a mature Man, the Patriarch explained in his sermon:
“Gold was brought to Him, because He is King, He is the King of the ages who, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, created the whole universe,” said His Beatitude.
“They brought him frankincense because He is a high priest. He is the High Priest who sacrifices Himself by the crucifixion on the Altar of the Cross.”
“He was also given myrrh, a little bitter in taste, which was used to embalm the dead. The sacrificial death of the Saviour is prophesied through myrrh.”
Magi, kralja or kings
The Patriarch said that the coming of the Magi, who were not Jews, shows us that the Saviour did not come into the world only for the Chosen People, but for the salvation of all peoples who will come from afar to worship Him. He also pointed out the contrast seen at the Nativity between the joy of the Magi from afar and the turmoil of King Herod who feared not to lose his kingdom.
Patriarch Daniel explained what the term “Magi” means.
“These Magi were learned people who observed the stars and interpreted dreams to read what the future holds. Therefore, they were advisers to the kings, and some became kings or rulers of nations themselves.”
“The word magos, of Persian origin, means ‘learned man’ or ‘counselor’ who studies the course of nature and reads the signs of the times. These magi or sages are called in the Slavic language ‘kralj’, meaning ‘king’ or ‘ruler’. In the West, they are called “les trois rois” – in French – “the three kings”, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said Dec. 25.
What do we learn from the Magi?
“We learn to bring gifts to Jesus, as the three wise men brought. Because the Baby Jesus is Himself the Gift of God the Father for the salvation of the world,” said the Patriarch and detailed what these gifts mean in our spiritual life:
“Gold represents the right and pure Orthodox faith, but also good deeds springing from sincere and merciful love. These are the golden gifts we bring to Jesus every day of our lives. Let us confess the true faith, let us have the right lifestyle and offer gifts to those around us: a good word, a good deed,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged.
“Frankincense means our daily prayers. Through prayer we enrich ourselves with God’s grace, keep in touch with Him, and receive the humble love of Christ, peace, and joy.”
“Myrrh means the crucifixion of greed and selfish passions and the acquisition of virtues. After we crucify selfishness in ourselves, we become generous.”
“So during the fasting season, through confession, more frequent communion, through the forgiveness of our fellow people who have wronged us, and through the multitude of acts of almsgiving, we have brought spiritual gifts to the Saviour Jesus Christ united with prayer, fasting, and feats — spiritual gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
At the end of the sermon on the first day of Christmas, the Patriarch of Romania congratulated those bearing the name “Christian”, “Christina” and derivatives.
After the service, Patriarch Daniel added that another gift we can give during this difficult time is to pray for those who are suffering and for the doctors who care for them.
“This prayer, accompanied by a good word, a word on the phone for those in isolation, means joy in the souls of the sorrowful. It brings the sign of a communion of brotherly love for the isolated, lonely and suffering.”
The faithful present at the service on the Hill of the Patriarchate received as a gift the Christmas Pastoral Letter of Patriarch Daniel, a prayer card depicting the Nativity, a
Potography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
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