Metropolitan Ioan of Banat said on Sunday, during the local proclamation of the canonisation of the Holy Hieromartyr Hilarion Felea of Arad, that Romania’s identity is Christian and should be affirmed wherever Romanians may be.
During his homily on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, the Metropolitan noted that the commandment to love one’s enemies is one that “divides the world, civilisations, and religions in two.”
“The commandment that divides the world, civilisations, and religions in two is the commandment to love one’s enemies. This commandment is unique to Christianity, and through it, a fundamental distinction is made from all other religions on earth. That is why we must love and forgive,” Metropolitan Ioan said.
Where Is the Kingdom of God?
Without love and forgiveness, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God, the Metropolitan emphasised, adding that a small part of this Kingdom is already present on Earth.
“You may ask, Father, where is this Kingdom of God to be found? It is also here. God created heaven and earth. This earth is part of the Kingdom of God,” he said.
He added that part of God’s Kingdom is our very homeland, and that this truth should inspire Romanians to confess both their Christian and national identity.
“You have travelled and will travel far across the world, to distant continents, and someone will ask you, ‘Where are you from?’ Tell them proudly: ‘From Romania, I am a Romanian from Romania.’ And if they ask, ‘Where is Romania?’ tell them that Romania is in the Kingdom of God. Romania is a Christian country where the name of God is called upon,” said the hierarch.
Teach Your Children Where Romania Is
Metropolitan Ioan urged parents to teach their children the truth about their country:
“Tell your children too, even if you show them on the map where Romania is located in southeastern Europe, also tell them that Romania is in the Kingdom of God.”
“May the Good God grant us all to live in peace with one another—comforting, blessing, and not cursing—and to live in this small part of God’s Kingdom on Earth, so that, when He wills, He may receive us into His heavenly Kingdom,” Metropolitan Ioan concluded.
On Sunday, October 5, the local proclamation of the Hieromartyr Ilarion Felea took place at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Arad. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Ioan of Banat, together with an assembly of hierarchs.
The Hieromartyr Hilarion Felea was canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church last year, with his feast day set for September 18.
Photo: Metropolis of Banat
