Many faithful prayed on Clean Monday during the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, officiated by Patriarch Daniel at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.<\/p>\n
The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful present at the Great Compline officiated Feb. 27 and spoke about the meaning and benefits of fasting.<\/p>\n
His Beatitude stressed that Lent is a sign of repentance and a sign of regret for a life lived against God\u2019s will in a disordered manner. He went on to say that through fasting and prayer, man sanctifies his life.<\/p>\n
Fasting and performing good deeds, the patriarch said, transforms man into a light among fellow people and a chosen vessel of God\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n
The Patriarch also referred to the Old Testament triptych: pray \u2013 fast \u2013 give alms. In the New Testament, fasting has a deeper meaning: it contributes to the renewal of our life and our spiritual enrichment.<\/p>\n
Our Saviour Jesus Christ recommended us to fast in order to strengthen our relation with God and to fight against temptations and demonic power.<\/p>\n
When fasting, we manifest our love of God and intensify our prayer, because Christ\u2019s merciful love is our spiritual nourishment during Lent, the Patriarch said.<\/p>\n
That is why by fasting we support our prayer\u00a0while fasting without praying does not represent a spiritual work, but rather a biological exercise, the Patriarch said ending his homily.<\/p>\n
During the first week of Lent, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel wears black inner and outer cassock and a white kamilavka.<\/p>\n
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