“We should not trust in ourselves, but in God” (2 Cor. 1: 9). Bishop Siluan of Orhei celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in Chisinau

“Nobody should forget that he belongs to God, with the body and with the soul; that all moments of life and all needs of the soul and of the body depend on Him. That is why, man should turn to God whenever his soul or body is in need” (St. John of Kronstadt).

With the blessing of Metropolitan Vladimir, Vicar Bishop Siluan of Orhei celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in Chisinau on the 11 October, the 18^th Sunday after Pentecost.

His Grace Siluan was assisted at the service by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, the Cathedral Dean, and the clergy of the holy shrine.

The Gospel Reading (Luke 5: 1-11) of this Sunday speaks about the miraculous fishing at the Lake of Gennesaret. The evangelical story teaches us that only collaborating with God can we do something significant and fruitful.

Explaining this Gospel story, St. Theophane the Recluse mentions that when a man makes efforts to do something on his own, without asking the blessing and the help of God, his work is fruitless, while is one unites his efforts with God’s will, the results of his activity becomes abundant. It becomes obvious, says St. Theophane, that one cannot succeed without God: “You cannot do anything without Me”, said the Lord. This rule applies to all things. Just as a branch cut away from the tree not only becomes fruitless, but also dries out and loses its power of life, people who lack life-giving unity with God, cannot bring fruits of righteousness, so precious for the life eternal.

At the end of the Divine Service, Bishop Siluan communicated to the believers the archpastoral message and blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova.

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Source

Πηγή: www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr