Patriarch Daniel, in the Easter Pastoral: The healing of diseases is not the last purpose of the Lord’s coming to earth, but the healing of sin and death

In the work of Our Lord Jesus Christ, healing from a transitory illness is not everything and it is not the last goal of His coming into the world, but healing from sin and death, through the Resurrection, giving people eternal life, affirms the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, in the Holy Easter Pastoral.

“The healings that the Lord Jesus Christ performs show His humble and merciful love for people, but these healings also have a prophetic meaning, namely they are the inauguration or the beginning of the Kingdom of God in the world or the beginning of a final healing, which will be realized in – a new heaven and a new earth, in which there will be no more tears and death (cf. Revelation 21, 1-4), because the public Resurrection will be the definitive healing of all people from death and corruption. The healing of diseases is not the last goal of the Lord’s coming to earth, but the healing of sin and death“, transmits the Patriarch.

The head of the BOR emphasizes that “The Sacrament of Repentance or the Confession and forgiveness of sins, as well as the Sacrament of Holy Olives, are permanent sources of healing from sins, passions, illnesses and sufferings (cf. Mark 6, 13; James 5, 14-15)“.

“In all the Holy Mysteries of the Church, the grace of the Most Holy Trinity works, which shows us the merciful love of Christ, the Doctor of our souls and bodies (the service of the Holy Olive Oil) and the Source of healings (the service of the Sanctification of the water). But for the healing and salvation of our soul and body, we need a lot of faith and a lot of perseverance in prayer, as well as a merciful love towards our fellow men. That’s why Saint John Chrysostom called the Church of Christ a ‘spiritual pharmacy, where new medicines are prepared, so that we can heal from the wounds that the world inflicts on us’. The same Holy Father calls for soul healing and salvation, saying: ‘Enter the church and confess your sins, repenting for them; for there you will find the doctor who heals you, and not a judge who condemns you; there the punishment of the sinner is not demanded, but the forgiveness of sins is given’“, says PF Daniel.

In the context of the proclamation of the year 2024 by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church as the Honorary Year of Pastoral Care and Care of the Sick and the Commemorative Year of all Saints who heal without silver, the Patriarch of BOR reminds that “Our church tries to contribute more to the relief of suffering, both through its liturgical, spiritual and pastoral work (especially Saint Maslu), and through its social-philanthropic and social-medical work (medical centers, clinics and medical caravans).

“Including through a medical culture of the population, through which people are advised to value more the gift of health, avoiding diseases, and to be grateful to the people who help them heal, especially when they alone, due to poverty, do not and I can pay for consultations or medicines“, explains the Patriarch.

The high Orthodox hierarch urges the performance of good deeds.

“In these days of celebration, of light and joy for our Christian life, we urge you all, with fatherly and brotherly love in Christ, to show the light of true faith and good deeds everywhere you are, to share with others the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection our Jesus Christ, our Healer and Savior Let us pray for peace throughout the world. Let’s show signs of brotherly love to all Romanians among foreigners”is the Patriarch’s message.

On the occasion of the Holy Easter Holidays, Patriarch Daniel wishes everyone “health and happiness, peace and joy“, addressing the paschal greeting ‘‘Christ is Risen!”. Source: Agerpres