“The Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos should be a source of encouragement for all parents who have children, as well as for those who do not have children but desire to have them,” Patriarch Daniel of Romania said on Tuesday at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George in the Patriarchal Residence.
The Patriarch of Romania explained why the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is placed at the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year and why it is celebrated on September 8: “Because the number eight symbolizes eternity, or eternal life.”
“Therefore, the Nativity of the Theotokos is celebrated because, through her, the pre-eternal Son of God comes into the world as man to save the world from sin and death and to grant humanity eternal life.”
The Power of Humble Prayer, Patience, and Hopeful Expectation
The Patriarch referred to the example of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, who prayed to God for many years to be blessed with a child: “From the parents of the Theotokos, we learn how great the power of humble prayer, patience, and hopeful expectation is, especially when it concerns the gift of bearing children.”
“Today, there are many people who suffer because they do not have children. Others have adopted children and become parents through love and affection, even though they did not become parents according to the flesh,” Patriarch Daniel pointed out.
The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized that parental responsibility does not end with the birth of a child: “It is not enough simply to bring a child into the world according to the flesh if one does not also raise that child spiritually.”
“A true parent helps shape the child’s character, educates the child, and provides parental care and unfailing love, attending both to the child’s physical development and spiritual formation,” the Patriarch stressed.
At the same time, the Patriarch urged the faithful to support large families, “because through faith and a holy life, both children and their parents can become saints.”
Those Who Enlighten and Enrich the Souls of Children
The Patriarch linked the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos with the beginning of the new school year, emphasizing the importance of children’s upbringing and education: “A person’s greatest wealth is their spiritual and intellectual cultivation.”
“In other words, great will be those educators, kindergarten teachers, schoolteachers, and professors who enlighten and enrich the souls of children and young people; and those children and young people, having received a sound upbringing and education, will bring joy to their families, their schools, the Church, and the Romanian people.”
Patriarch Daniel of Romania also referred to the role of the priest in the spiritual formation of children and young people: “The priest, who ministers as the spiritual father of all children and young people, plays a particularly important role in their spiritual growth and formation.”
In conclusion, the Patriarch of Romania congratulated the more than 2.6 million Romanians who bear names in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos: “We wish them continued growth in prayer, faith, and good works, and may they remain under the shelter and protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.”
Photo: Ziarul Lumina
Source: basilica.ro
