The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly. Here are ten quotes by Patriarch Daniel on the elderly:
Care for the elderly, children and the poor shows a people’s degree of civilization and the depth of Christian living.
The New Testament makes it clear that the wisdom of the elderly is linked to their closeness to God through prayer and the virtuous life they live.
Physical weakness of old age is covered by the strength of wisdom, the wealth of knowledge, the beauty of gentleness and kindness.
Through their spiritual maturity, seniors can do much to preserve Christian values in our culture, for the harmony of society and the family.
The traditional human community has always been preoccupied with the elderly, considering them not a burden but a source of blessing, a treasure that carries living tradition, but also merciful love, through their participation in the good upbringing of children.
Even if wisdom is not a virtue that is related to the number of years, it remains one of the gifts that is associated with old age, without automatically being an attribute of this stage of human life: Teach us to number our days, we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12).
The prayer of the elderly is also the source of their wisdom but also a blessing for the whole community.
Old age should also be understood as the age at which we approach the end of our earthly journey when Jesus Christ leads us to the home of the heavenly Father. (John 14:2)
Pious grandmothers and mothers have shaped the conscience and feelings of children, being icons of dedication and care for the whole family in terms of the religious-moral education of the younger generation.
The elderly need a comforting and encouraging word, and the young need the wisdom, patience and prayer power of the elderly.
Photography courtesy of the Basilica.ro Files
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