During his homily, the patriarchal auxiliary bishop referred to the virtues of St Nectarios, whose devotion is spread all across Romania.
‘Saint Nectarios is a genuine example of a Christian lifestyle, a hierarch enriched with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not only because he had the fullness of grace, but also because by practicing unceasing prayer he acquired the divine light inside himself and illumined those who came to him,’ Bishop Ieronim said November 9.
Saint Nectarios helped those in trouble who visited him and he often encouraged them to face the hardships of life.
“Saint Nectarios is not only a healer of illnesses, but also the protector of those who are wrongfully accused and persecuted, himself being persecuted unjustly all his life. He loved those who did evil and slandered him.”
His Grace quoted St Nectarios saying ‘If you want to be loved by God, love your neighbour.’
The Saint was ‘of extraordinary humility and great patience,’ and that is why he succeeded in fighting and defeating the demonic powers, Bp Ieronim explained.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was officiated for the rest of the souls of the founders of the monastery.
Radu Voda Monastery keeps a particle of the holy relics of Saint Nectarios and many believers visit the monastic settlement every day to venerate the Saint’s relics and ask for his intercessions.
Photography courtesy of Lumina Newspaper / Luigi Ivanciu
