Newly ordained Assistant Bishop Iachint: The Divine Liturgy is the beginning of every ministry

His Grace Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand celebrated his first Divine Liturgy following his episcopal ordination on Sunday, saying there could be no more fitting beginning to his ministry than the Eucharistic celebration.

He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova from the Archdiocese of Bucharest, at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest.

“I believe there could not have been a more appropriate beginning to my ministry than the Divine Liturgy. Through the Liturgy we express our gratitude, our thanksgiving and our complete trust in God,” Bishop Iachint said.

Reflecting on Christian love, he stressed that love of God and love of neighbour cannot be separated.

“We cannot say that we love God while our actions towards other people express feelings contrary to love. We love people by loving God, and we love God by loving people, by being among them and with them.”

The newly ordained bishop also spoke of the significance of celebrating his first liturgy within the community where he had grown spiritually.

“This is a moment of the greatest importance in my life,…