“protect our country, communities and families in love, peace and unity

“At the same time, we thank the clergy of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as well as all those serving at the holy altars throughout Bessarabia who, within their communities, serve with integrity, hear confessions, provide catechesis, visit the sick, support families and gather the people around the Holy Chalice, despite the difficulties, shortages and social tensions, which are by no means few.

“We are particularly concerned about the spiritual condition of children and young people, families separated by migration, the sick, elderly people living alone, and those burdened by hardship or despair.

“We must condemn atheistic imperialism and every form of aggression that separates brothers of the same blood, falsifies historical memory and uses faith for purposes alien to the Gospel. The Christian response is patience, forgiveness and prayer for peace and unity in Christ.

“the Church calls everyone to salvation, while ideologies founded upon hatred, falsehood and domination lead to the destruction of the soul

“A person who cannot refrain from judgement, malice, pride, envy, anger, consumption or distraction becomes a slave to his own impulses. Through fasting, therefore, we learn once again to say no to passion so that we may say yes to becoming like God

“This is one of the profound meanings of fasting: the passage from our own will to the will of God. We fast so that our desires, habits and passions cease to determine the direction of our lives. We practise self-restraint to make room for the work of grace. We pray more often so that our distracted minds may withdraw from vanities and our hearts may hear the voice of God’s calling.

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word!

“God gives us these days to prepare ourselves to understand the great mystery of the feast: she who received Christ into her entire being is herself received, at the end of her earthly life, into the Kingdom of her Son