Patriarch Daniel: The Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God must be an encouragement to all parentstranslated

"The Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God must be an encouragement to all parents who have children and to those who do not have children, but wish to have them," said His Beatitude Father Patriarch Daniel at the historic "Saint Great Martyr George" Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence on Tuesday.

The Patriarch of Romania explained why the feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God is placed at the beginning of the Church Year and why it is celebrated on September 8: "Because the number eight symbolizes eternity or eternal life."

"So the birth of the Mother of God is celebrated because through her the eternal Son of God comes into the world as a man to save the world from sin and death and give people eternal life."

The power of humble prayer, patience and waiting His Beatitude presented the example of the Holy and Righteous Fathers Joachim and Anna, who prayed for a long time for the acquisition of a child: "We learn from the parents of the Mother of God how great is the power of humble prayer, patience and waiting, especially when it comes to the gift of having children."

"There are a lot of people today who are suffering because they don't have children. Others have adopted children, that is, raised children and . . .