Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria sent a message to mark the beginning of the Nativity Fast, emphasizing its spiritual significance and calling on believers to embrace the season with humility and devotion.
In his message, the Patriarch highlighted the transformative power of fasting, urging the faithful to “leave free space for prayer to God, for thinking and acting according to God,” amidst the challenges of daily life.
Reflecting on the Incarnation of Christ, he stated that it marks the fulfillment of humanity’s long-awaited hope: “By His birth according to the flesh and His redemptive work, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is already inseparably with us – now, and always, and forever.”
Quoting the apostle’s words, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), Patriarch Daniel underscored the call to purification, penance, and unity with God. He reminded believers that fasting’s ultimate goal is “the purification of the heart from impure and vain thoughts and deeds and union with God in the divine-human body of the Church.”
The Patriarch also encouraged acts of almsgiving, attentive prayer, and participation in the Holy Eucharist, stressing that these practices prepare the soul and body to become “the wel-coming receptacle and dwelling place” of Christ.
He concluded with a blessing for “a light and saving fast,” invoking the peace and glory of God upon all.
Read the full message by Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria:
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Today we enter the Nativity Fast. Through the feat of fasting and the profound content of the liturgical texts and hymns on the occasion of the great feast to come, the holy Church shows us that in our daily life, filled with many evil themes and problems, we must leave free space for prayer to God, for thinking and acting according to God.
From the moment of the Incarnation of the Word of God, new perspectives have opened before the human race. The time of waiting for the Savior promised in ancient times has already been fulfilled. By His birth according to the flesh and His redemptive work, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is already inseparably with us – now, and always, and forever.
Therefore, the apostle exhorts us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Let us humbly and cheerfully enter into the feat of fasting, keeping before our eyes its ultimate goal – the purification of the heart from impure and vain thoughts and deeds and union with God in the divine-human body of the Church. In this regard, may sincere penance and confession, attentive prayer, abstinence from evil deeds, almsgiving to the needy, accepting with thanksgiving the Holy Bloodless Sacrifice, help us!
Diligence and perseverance in these spiritual labors is the sure way to the state of grace whereby our souls and bodies will become the welcoming receptacle and dwelling place of the begotten, “for us men and our salvation,” Christ God!
May the peace of Christ be with us – for a light and saving fast!
May heaven and earth be filled with the glory of God!
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
