Romanian bishop joins pilgrims on 20-km walk to Nicula Monastery for Dormition

His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj on Tuesday joined a group of Orthodox faithful on a 20-km pilgrimage on foot from Valcău de Jos, Sălaj County, to Nicula Monastery, Cluj County, where they will take part in celebrations for the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Before their departure, the bishop highlighted the spiritual meaning of pilgrimage, saying that “effort brings joy”.

“What you are beginning today, as you make your way to Nicula Monastery, is a special undertaking. We are entering into a succession of experience, because generation after generation, for decades, perhaps even hundreds of years, people have done the same thing. This continuity of faith, but also of experience, is very important, showing our faith to be something living, something very much alive.”

Referring to the considerable physical effort involved in the pilgrimage, the Bishop of Sălaj stressed that this exertion gives the experience particular value.

“An essential component of pilgrimage is the willingness to make an effort, confirming once again what has already become an established principle: true joys are attained only through effort,” His Grace said.

Prayer that sanctifies the…