{"id":197321,"date":"2018-07-02T11:52:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T08:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=197321"},"modified":"2018-07-02T11:52:02","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T08:52:02","slug":"we-should-not-be-afraid-of-unclean-spirits-if-we-have-a-strong-faith-patriarch-daniel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/we-should-not-be-afraid-of-unclean-spirits-if-we-have-a-strong-faith-patriarch-daniel\/","title":{"rendered":"We should not be afraid of unclean spirits if we have a strong faith \u2013 Patriarch Daniel"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Sunday addressed the believers present at the National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel stressing that \u2018we should not be afraid of unclean spirits if we have a strong faith.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Patriarch of Romania attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated Sunday, July 1, at the Resurrection of the Lord Chapel of the National Cathedral in Bucharest.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude offered his reflections on the day\u2019s Gospel reading saying that \u2018today\u2019s Gospel shows us that even demons recognize the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and indicates the Saviour\u2019s wish to free people from evil spirits.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Patriarch pointed out that the initiative to go to the region of Gadara to free the two men from demonic possession belonged to Christ Himself.<\/p>\n

\u2018Jesus, out of love for humans and their salvation, came to Gadara without being invited to show that He came to the world to free people of sin and of the demonic powers\u2019 possession.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018He Himself went there where human dignity was humiliated and tormented by demons. Here we see His merciful love, for He does not wait to be invited where there is suffering,\u2019 the Romanian Patriarch said July 1.<\/p>\n

Although Christ the Saviour did nothing to them, \u2018the demons possessing the two men felt tortured by the physical presence of Jesus,\u2019 the Patriarch explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018The demons were tortured by the kindness, the merciful love of Jesus that contrasted with their wickedness.\u2019<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel went on to explain why Jesus allowed the demons to enter the animals saying that He did so \u2018to show that demons have no unlimited power, and when Christ God orders them to free humans (of their possession), they do free them.\u2019<\/p>\n

His Beatitude noted that one of the reasons why Jesus allowed the demons to enter the herd of pigs, thus causing a material loss, was to correct the citizens of Gadara who \u2018were the slaves of material gain from trade and too indifferent to the suffering of the two men.\u2019<\/p>\n

Instead of thanking Jesus for curing the two demon-possessed men, who were now peaceful, the citizens of Gadara asked Him to leave their region. \u2018We observe here their total lack of gratitude,\u2019 the Patriarch stressed.<\/p>\n

This Bible reading is the proof that \u2018Christ does not preach the Gospel only through words, but also through miraculous gestures and actions. He is not indifferent to the suffering of men, but goes even where He is not invited,\u2019 Patriarch Daniel noted.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the service of Holy Baptism, Patriarch Daniel said that the program of Christian life is to renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his angels, and all his service, and all his pride, and to unite ourselves with Christ, whom we profess as King and God.<\/p>\n

\u2018When we unite with Christ through prayer, by listening to the Gospel, by our participation at the sacred services, especially by partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we become spiritually strengthened, thus demons have no more power over the faithful man who has a fervent faith,\u2019 His Beatitude said.<\/p>\n

The Patriarch prayed for the help of God \u2018so that from today\u2019s Gospel we may see first Christ\u2019s merciful love toward men, and His humble and omnipotent power.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Jesus Christ is humble and omnipotent. Humble in the sense that He works no miracles to praise Himself or to be praised by people, but He works wonders from His merciful love.\u2019<\/p>\n

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged the believers \u2018to do good not to be praised by men, but to show merciful kindness to our fellows, thus resembling the merciful God.\u2019<\/p>\n

At the end of his speech, the patriarch appreciated the liturgical and missionary activities carried out by the priests, chanters, and volunteers of the National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude especially congratulated the Chapel\u2019s volunteers for their dedication and sacrifice in serving their neighbour.<\/p>\n

Over 19,000 people from the rural area have been assisted or counselled in various medical specializations as a result of the charity programs carried out by the Chapel\u2019s volunteers.<\/p>\n

Finally, the V. Rev. Archimandrite Paisie Teodorescu thanked Patriarch Daniel for his homily.<\/p>\n

The liturgical responses were given by the Anastasis Byzantine Choir of the Chapel of the National Cathedral.<\/p>\n