To the Metropolitan of Bessarabia, at the beginning of the Assumption Fast: Through fasting we learn to say no to passionstranslated

Friday began the Fast of the Assumption of the Mother of God according to the unrevised calendar. On this occasion, Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia sent a message to the faithful urging them to use the fasting period to strengthen themselves spiritually.

"God is giving us these days to prepare us to understand the great mystery of the holiday: the one who received Christ in his entire being is received, at the end of his earthly life, in the Kingdom of her Son", emphasized IPS Antonie.

His Eminence recalled the moment of the Annunciation, when the Mother of God accepted to carry the Savior Jesus Christ in her womb: "Here is the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word!" (Luke 1, 38).

"This is one of the deep meanings of fasting, of passing from our own will to the will of God. We fast so that our desires, habits and passions cease to decide the direction of life. We restrain ourselves to make room for the work of grace. We pray more often so that the scattered mind gathers itself from vanities and the heart can hear the voice of God's call."

"The man who cannot stop from judgment, malice, pride, envy, anger, consumption or...