Patriarch of Romania: The Patriarch of Romania, Mr. Daniel, referred to the importance of forgiveness, emphasizing that it is a prerequisite for a person to experience the mercy of God.
The Patriarch spoke on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after the reading of the Gospel passage for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, at the Chapel of Saint Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence.
"By forgiving our neighbor, we become merciful like God," he stated.
According to Patriarch Daniel, the Gospel passage includes three basic teachings: God forgives those who seek His mercy, He corrects those who receive forgiveness but refuse to forgive, and He calls people to be merciful toward their fellow human beings.
"All humans were created in the image of God. However, only those who live in communion with Him through prayer and fulfill His will, being good and merciful, reach likeness with God," he emphasized.
He added that a person who does not forgive the faults of others cannot attain the holiness that comes from God.
The Patriarch further emphasized that forgiving one's neighbor is a prerequisite for participating in the Holy Eucharist.
"The Church calls us to forgive all the faults of our fellow human beings. In this way, we free our souls from the painful bonds of egoism and revenge, so that we may approach the Holy Eucharist," he noted.
Recognizing that sincere forgiveness can be difficult, he called on the faithful to seek God's help through prayer.
"Complete forgiveness — not the kind that says 'I forgive you, but I won't forget' — can only be offered if we ask God for His grace," he said.
Patriarch Daniel presented the Holy Martyrs as examples, who forgave those who persecuted them and led them to death.
In conclusion, he underlined that forgiveness can change human relationships and society.
"By forgiving those who have wronged us, violence stops, hatred fades, malice is replaced by kindness, and the life of the family, the community, and society is renewed," he emphasized.
Finally, he called on the faithful to pray so that they may acquire the strength to forgive sincerely and from their hearts.
Source: Basilica.ro
Photo: Ziarul Lumina