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The Gura Izvorului monastery honored its patron: PS Andrei pleaded for the rediscovery of the longing for Godtranslated

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The longing for God must become the foundation of the Christian's life, said His Holiness Father Andrei, Bishop of Covasna and Harghita, on Thursday, when the Harghita Gura Izvorului monastery honored one of its patrons - St. Cuv. Neophyte.

Father Bishop Andrei officiated the Holy Liturgy and spoke about the life of hardship and love for God that characterized the life of the Saint Pious Neophyte.

Starting from the words of Psalm 41 - "As the deer longs for the springs of water, so my soul longs for You, God", His Eminence recalled that the saint lived as a hermit for 30 years in the solitude of the mountain, in fasting, prayer and endurance of temptations, seeking to get closer and closer to God and to achieve spiritual perfection.

The life of Saint Pious Neophyte thus remains a living testimony of the power of prayer, of effort and of the unceasing longing for God, His Eminence said.

Supporter Awards Six supporters of the Gura Humorului Monastery were awarded on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the Diocesan Order "Confessors of the Ancient Faith" of the Diocese of Covasna and Harghita. Photo: Bishopric of Covasna and...

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

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Translate comments

Matthew Young

That line from Psalm 41 about the deer panting for water really stuck with me. Thirty years alone on the mountain in prayer and fasting is something I can barely wrap my head around while I’m rushing between the kitchen and picking up the boys from school. Thanks for sharing the article; it makes me want to carve out a little more quiet time this week.

Георгий Новиков

Тот момент с псалмом 41 про оленя, который жаждет воды, и правда цепляет. У нас на рыбалке, когда сидишь у реки ранним утром и всё вокруг только воды и просит, сразу вспоминаешь, как это про душу. А тридцать лет в горах в одиночестве — это уже за гранью моего понимания, я и неделю без семьи не выдерживаю. Спасибо, что напомнили.

Thomas Hall

That Psalm 41 line about the deer really hits home, like Matthew and Георгий said. I think about it every time I water the tomatoes in the backyard and they perk right up. Thirty years alone on a mountain puts my own little struggles with prayer into perspective, that’s for sure.

Sarah Johnson

That Psalm 41 verse always gets me too, especially the way the deer pants after water. I think about it when I’m out watering my zucchini in the garden and they look so grateful for a drink. Thirty years on that mountain does make my own distracted prayer times feel pretty small; makes me want to be more steady about it.

Luke Campbell

That Psalm hits home, doesn't it? I remember reading it years ago while sitting in the garden after my wife passed—made the ordinary quiet feel heavier. Thirty years is beyond me too, but even ten extra minutes before the morning coffee helps. You thinking of trying it before the school run?

Katherine Evans

That image of the tomatoes perking up is perfect, Thomas. I keep the Psalm 41 verse on a little card in my knitting basket and glance at it when I’m untangling yarn after a long day with the kindergarteners. Thirty years of real solitude makes my own five-minute morning prayer feel like a toddler’s first steps, but it’s still worth taking.

Timothy King

That line about the deer and the water always gets me too. I tried adding those ten minutes of quiet prayer before the kids wake up last week and yeah, the day does feel less scattered. How's the garden looking these days, still spending time out there?