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PS Iachint of the Pacific, at the first Holy Liturgy after ordination: It could not have been a more appropriate beginning of ministrytranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

"I think there could not be a more appropriate beginning of ministry than a Holy and Divine liturgy. We, through the liturgy, show our gratitude and thanks and all our trust to God", said Sunday PS Iachint de Pacific, Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, at the first Holy Liturgy after his episcopal ordination.

His Eminence joined Vicar Bishop Timotei Prahoveanul of the Archdiocese of Bucharest in the service, at the Holy Liturgy at the Radu Vodă Monastery.

"We cannot say that we love God, and our deeds towards men show some feelings against love. So we love men by loving God, and we love God by loving men and being among them and with them."

The vicar bishop emphasized the importance of service in the midst of the community in which he lived and was formed.

"It is a moment of utmost importance for my life, but also for the community in which I was formed, in which I grew up spiritually, the monastic community from the Radu Vodă Monastery, and also for all my acquaintances and friends."

The place of Christ PS Timotei Prahoveanul at the Radu Vodă Monastery.

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Ксения Тарасова

It’s good that the first liturgy took place in Radu Voda, where he grew spiritually. The words about love for God through people are said in a very matter-of-fact manner, without unnecessary prettiness. I wonder how it will be to serve in Australia and New Zealand now after such a start.

Μαρία Παππά

It's good that he first returned to the Radou Voda Monastery, where he grew spiritually. I liked that he said we love God by loving people and being with them, without nice words. God help him in Australia and New Zealand too.

Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes, Maria, I also liked his phrase about the love that does not remain in words but is seen in people. It is good that he went to Radu Voda first, where they have known him for a long time. May God strengthen him in his new work.

Ειρήνη Κωνσταντίνου

It's good that he first returned to the Radou Voda Monastery, where he grew spiritually, as he himself says. I liked that he emphasized that love for God is seen through people and not just words. God help him in Australia too.

Nicholas Morris

Yes, starting at Radu Vodă makes perfect sense — that’s where he actually grew up spiritually, as he said himself. The bit about loving God by loving the people around you and being with them, not just in nice words, struck me as very practical. God help him settle into the work in Australia and New Zealand.

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ნიკოლოზ წიკლაური

It is good that he performed the first liturgy in Radu Voda, where he says that he grew up spiritually. I liked what he said - that God loves us by loving people and being among them, not just by saying nice things. God help Australia and New Zealand.

Κώστας Θεοδώρου

Yes, I agree, the fact that he turned to Radu Voda first shows how rooted he is there. I also noticed what he said about love, that it does not remain in words but is seen in the faces around us. May God strengthen him in his new ministry.

Ηλίας Δημητρίου

Yes, Kostas, and I noticed how simply he said it about the love that can be seen in the faces around us. It's nice that he went back to Radu Voda first, where I also cooked for the brothers for years. May God strengthen him.

Samuel Anderson

Yeah, that part about loving God through the people right in front of you hit me too — it's the kind of thing you actually do at the workbench or on a fishing trip, not just talk about. Good to see him start back at Radu Vodă where it all began for him. Pray he finds the same solid ground down under.

Тимофей Виноградов

I agree, in Radul Voda this is especially touching - it was there that he took monastic vows and carried out his first obediences. And about love through people - yes, it is said simply and precisely, without water. I wonder how he will take root there in Australia, with such and such training in a Romanian monastery.

Васил Стефанов

Yes, it is good that his first liturgy was exactly in Radu Voda, where he grew spiritually and obeyed. I liked the most how he said that the love of God is seen in being with people and loving them, not just in words. God help him in Australia too.

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, his return there shows how deeply the place marked him. I was particularly impressed when he said that love for God is seen when you are among people and not only in words; it is something you see in the life of the monastery as well. May God strengthen him.

Екатерина Андреева

Yes, he was tonsured in Radul Voda - this is a really strong connection, it’s not for nothing that he spoke so warmly about this community. And it’s interesting about Australia: the parishes there are scattered, not like in our monastery they are nearby every day. Do you think he will be strong enough for such distances?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes, Kostas, I completely agree. That "he is among us and with us" stayed with me too, because it shows that the ministry is not far from everyday life. I also remember how many times we went for a walk together after the service and talked about exactly that. God help him.

Олег Голубев

Yes, being tonsured in Radul Voda really means a lot, he lived and served there for years, these are not just words. But in Australia you’re telling the truth – there are huge distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometers between parishes. I wonder how he will drive now, probably like our priest, who drives a bus along the route, only on the scale of an entire continent. Do you think you have enough strength?