{"id":564879,"date":"2026-04-01T17:24:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=564879"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:24:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:24:36","slug":"bishop-paisie-service-brotherly-love-peace-orthodox-teaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/bishop-paisie-service-brotherly-love-peace-orthodox-teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop says service and brotherly love key to peace in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, on Sunday, underscored the importance of serving one\u2019s neighbour and cultivating brotherly love as essential to ensuring peace in the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The hierarch celebrated at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, explaining that \u201cthe Gospel read today shows the Saviour Christ making His final journey to Jerusalem together with His twelve disciples\u201d.<\/p>\n

Referring to the request of the Apostles James and John, Bishop Paisie highlighted their limited understanding of the divine mystery: \u201cWe see how little the disciples understood of the great mystery of salvation unfolding before their eyes\u201d, which is why the Saviour replied, \u201cYou do not know what you ask\u201d.<\/p>\n

A Fundamental Teaching of Christianity<\/h2>\n

His Grace pointed to the disciples’ envy towards the two apostles who sought precedence, noting that Christ taught them that leadership must be understood as loving service to others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Saviour Christ proclaimed the service of one\u2019s neighbour as a fundamental law of Christian life,\u201d Bishop Paisie said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He further explained that \u201cthe Church is a people of servants\u2014clergy and faithful alike\u2014we are all servants of God and servants to one another\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cService is a fundamental teaching of Christianity\u2014not the domination of others, but serving them,\u201d he added.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A Model of Rising from Sin<\/h2>\n

The bishop also highlighted the example of Saint Mary of Egypt: \u201cThis venerable saint is a model of repentance. She is an example of the lifting up of the human person from sin to the heights of holiness, through repentance, humility, fasting and prayer\u201d.<\/p>\n

He stressed the relevance of her example in an increasingly secularised world:<\/p>\n

\u201cSaint Mary of Egypt shows us that, despite our decline\u2014whether brief or prolonged\u2014the human longing for holiness is not extinguished. This unceasing search is, in fact, the fulfilment of our humanity, planted by God in us at creation.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cLet us pray to the Good God to help us advance in our spiritual ascent towards the joy of the Resurrection, which is drawing near,\u201d Bishop Paisie urged.<\/p>\n