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The honor of the episcopate is to be the first on the cross: IPS Athanasius at the Episcopation of the Vicar-elect Maxim Danubianultranslated

September 7, 2026 · 1 min read

"The primacy of the episcopate, the honor of the episcopate, the honor of the episcopate is precisely that of being the first on the cross, not the first in others," said the Most Reverend Father Athanasius, Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on Monday evening, at the end of the ordination ceremony of Vicar-elect Maximus the Danubian of the Diocese of Italy.

The service took place in the Moncalieri Parish church in Italy. "God is the One who will give grace and strength so that we can endure to the end, no more, no less," said Father Archbishop Athanasius.

"He who knows how to remain on the cross to the end, is the one who truly embraces with love. He is the one who knows how to nourish his entire ministry and his entire vocation, precisely from this mystery, from which our strength springs."

IPS Athanasius: Mother of God, initiator of salvation IPS Atanasie said that the destiny of a bishop is to be the first on the Cross on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Moncalieri Parish. Photo credit: Facebook / Ardea Parish "Holy Martyr Cecilia" Archbishop Athanasius also spoke about the Mother of God, whose birth the Church celebrates on Tuesday, September 8.

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Daniela Ciobanu

True, the bishop's honor is to be first on the cross, not in honors. I remembered what IPS Athanasius said: "God will give us grace and strength to endure to the end, no more, no less." Tomorrow at the Nativity service I will also pray for the new vicar Maxim.

Олександр Савченко

Yes, those words about "first on the cross, not first in honors" gave me pause. I also liked what he said about the Mother of God and the strength that comes from sticking to the end. Tomorrow at the Nativity service I will also pray for Bishop Maximus, may God give him that simple grace, no more, no less.

Michał Kaczmarek

Yes, the phrase "first on the cross, not first in others" hit me too. It reminded me of how IPS Athanasius said that God gives just enough grace to endure to the end, no more, no less. Tomorrow at the service of the Nativity of the Mother of God, I will also commemorate Bishop Maxim.

Martin Wagner

Yes, the phrase “first on the cross, not in other things” has stuck. Just like with us in the choir, where sometimes you just have to hold on until Amen. Tomorrow in the liturgy for the birth of the Mother of God I will also include the new vicar Maxim.

Corina Stan

Yeah, that phrase "first on the cross, not first in others" gave me pause too. It reminded me of how in the church choir, when our feet hurt after a long matinee, all that keeps us is the thought that we must endure to the end, no more, no less. Tomorrow at the Nativity of the Mother of God I will also commemorate Bishop Maxim.

Наталія Коваль

I agree, those words about "first on the cross, not on honors" really touch. I also remembered how Bishop said that God gives power "no more, no less." Tomorrow at the liturgy, I will also remember Bishop Maxim so that I can endure to the end. Do you often visit Moncalieri?

Daniel Lewis

That line about being first on the cross instead of first in honors really stuck with me too. The part where he says God gives exactly the grace we need to endure till the end, no more no less, sounds like every long Saturday bake I do when the oven timer feels endless. I'll remember Bishop Maxim in the Nativity of the Theotokos liturgy tomorrow.