On the Sunday of Adam\u2019s Expulsion from Paradise, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church cautioned that \u2018without forgiveness no one can enter Great Lent, as spiritual struggle for the remission of sins and illumination of the soul,\u2019 because by forgiving others we cultivate \u2018humility and the inner freedom to live in God\u2019s compassionate love.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Man\u2019s relation with God depends on his relationship with his fellow people,\u2019 the patriarch noted explaining that \u2018man cannot draw close to God by not paying attention to his neighbour.\u2019<\/p>\n
Since every human being is created in the image of the Compassionate God oriented towards humanity, there is a sacred tie between God and every human being. The way and measure by which man shows love for his fellows contribute to the edification, cultivation and strengthening of his communion with God, the Fashioner of heaven and earth and the Lover of mankind.<\/p>\n
The Patriarch of Romania went on to explain why we fast. He said we fast \u2018because we love our Heavenly God, the Giver of eternal life, more than all the transient, material goods, more than tasty food, fine drinks or the passionate delight of the senses.\u2019 He drew attention that \u2018we should not fast in order to be praised or admired by people.\u2019<\/p>\n
His Beatitude went on to reflect on a bible verse from the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus says, when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting.<\/em><\/p>\n In Hebrew tradition, the patriarch explained, \u2018putting oil on the head means that life is a blessing and joy received from God. Washing the face means having a natural, welcoming attitude of communication towards others, without drawing their attention with a cheerless or darkened countenance.\u2019<\/p>\n The patriarch noted that \u2018fast should be man\u2019s inner, intimate, spiritual work of personal communion with God, Who mystically and silently observes the soul and deeds of the devout, sacrificial, praying, and fasting man.\u2019 His Beatitude added that \u2018we should fast with joy, not with sorrow,\u2019 because \u2018humility and joy are the signs of genuine fasting.\u2019<\/p>\n During his Feb. 18 sermon, the Patriarch of Romania offered several definitions of fasting:<\/p>\n Ending his Sunday homily, Patriarch Daniel said that during Great Lent we should correct the behaviour of the old Adam within us, not by blaming others for our sins, not by accusing or judging other sinners, but by admitting and crying for our sins, by judging ourselves during the Mystery of Repentance, in order to receive remission of sins and partake of Christ\u2019s holy, humble, and compassionate love.<\/p>\n Photography courtesy of Robert Nicolae\/ Basilica.ro Archive<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During his Sunday homily, Patriarch Daniel stressed the importance of forgiveness of those who have wronged us, noting that this is \u2018the good beginning of the Lenten season,\u2019 through which we resemble the Compassionate and Forgiving God. His Beatitude said that \u2018forgiveness of sins often implies the crucifixion of our own egoism, opening our soul…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":188311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[6108,4894,5634,3701,14378,66,1393,53],"class_list":["post-188524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homilies","tag-egoism","tag-forgiveness","tag-great-lent","tag-homily","tag-lent-2018","tag-patriarch-daniel","tag-resurrection","tag-romanian-orthodox-church"],"yoast_head":"\n\n