Orthodox bishop likens climbing the mountain to the Christian spiritual journey

“The mountain is also an image of the spiritual ascent. No one reaches the mountain’s summit without effort,” Assistant Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania said last Thursday at the patronal feast of Ceahlău Monastery , situated at an altitude of 1,800 metres (5,900 feet).

Pilgrims from across Romania attended the celebration, some walking hundreds of kilometres to reach the monastery for its feast day.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the outdoor altar by Assistant Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania of the Archdiocese of Chișinău.

An image of the spiritual ascent The bishop reflected on the spiritual meaning of climbing a mountain, explaining that it symbolises every Christian’s journey toward an encounter with God.

“No one can attain the vision of God without prayer, without repentance, without struggle, without effort, and without sacrificing one’s passions.”

“Saint John Climacus tells us that the ladder leading to God is climbed one step at a time, just as we climbed this mountain, step by step. At times, the slope was steeper; at other times, the path was gentler. So it is with our lives. The journey of life is not always filled with hardship. There are trials and…