As Orthodox Christians prepare to enter Great Lent — the most profound and searching season of the Church year — the contrast between the stillness the Fast calls us to and the agitation of contemporary society becomes increasingly evident.
In this context, Fr Adrian Agachi, Patriarchal Adviser and spokesperson of the Romanian Patriarchate, reflects on how believers who engage in active social life can approach Great Lent without withdrawing from the world.
In an interview with Basilica News Agency, he speaks about fasting not as an escape but as an intensified communion — with God and with our neighbours — proposing practical steps such as moderating digital consumption, cultivating inner watchfulness, and learning to listen more than we speak.
Drawing on the example of the newly canonised Romanian saints, he emphasises that without love and forgiveness, ascetic effort risks becoming sterile, whereas authentic fasting prepares the heart for the light of the Resurrection.
Basilica.ro: Father Adrian, how should an active member of society approach Great Lent we are about to enter? Should we withdraw, flee from the world?
Fr Adrian Agachi: Great Lent is always an opportunity to intensify our communion with our neighbour and to support those who are suffering.
During Lent, we strive to deny ourselves more deeply, to set aside the undue attention we often grant to ourselves, and to focus more effectively — through works of Christian mercy — on those around us who endure the trials of illness or loneliness.
Fasting is not a flight from the world, nor a selfish isolation from others, but an opportunity to share God’s love even more intensely than we usually do. For example, St Joseph the Hesychast fasted more strictly not for himself, but so that his disciples might acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
“Let Us Listen More Than We Speak”
Basilica.ro: During Lent, we re-evaluate and purify ourselves, dedicating more time to our relationship with God. What distractions should we be attentive to in this period? How do we guard our minds in a world overwhelmed by stimuli?
Fr Adrian Agachi: It has become a genuine challenge to fight against the scattering of the mind, as the excess of information and a lack of self-control in managing our activities inevitably lead to this outcome, which is deeply harmful to our spiritual life.
Renouncing some of the time we spend on technology is a first step toward detoxifying the mind during Lent. We live in an unfortunate paradox, as one communications director once said: “We are drowning in information, yet dying of thirst for knowledge.” It is beneficial to dedicate this regained time to the unceasing prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It strengthens the mind’s attention and purifies the heart of impure thoughts.
A second step toward regaining a pure mind would be to listen more than speak.
By offering the other person the opportunity to open his soul, we become more attentive to our neighbour’s needs and begin to acquire that goodness of heart and watchfulness of mind without which Lent becomes a fruitless ascetical exercise.
A Companion for the Ascent to the Resurrection
Basilica.ro: Could you share an example of spiritual living helpful for this Fast — a “companion” for the ascent towards the Resurrection — from among the newly canonised Romanian saints?
Fr Adrian Agachi: There are many examples to be found in the lives of the recently canonised saints that can be of great help. A general exhortation would be to read their writings and carefully study the testimonies of those who knew them.
I would confine myself to the example of St Gerasimus of Tismana, who on the night before his departure to the Lord confessed and gave Holy Communion to one of his tormentors, addressing to him these immortal words: “If I, who am a sinner, can love you so much, imagine Christ, Who is Love Incarnate — how greatly He loves you! And all the Christians whom you have tortured forgive you, love you, and Christ loves you. He desires your salvation far more than you desire it yourself.”
What value would fasting have without love and forgiveness? As we enter this Lent, therefore, let us forgive those who have wronged us and show them mercy and love, as all the saints did, fulfilling God’s commandments.
Fr Adrian Agachi coordinates the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate and serves at St George–Dudu Parish in Chiajna.
A graduate of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest and holding a doctorate in theology from the University of Winchester, Fr Agachi previously collaborated with Lumina Newspaper and served as an editor at Cuvântul Vieții Publishing House of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobruja.
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Mircea Florescu
