Metropolitan Seraphim: "Without forgiveness, fasting remains fruitless"

At the beginning of Great Lent, Metropolitan Serafim has encouraged the faithful to shape the coming weeks as a phase of inner conversion and conscious approach to God. Lent serves as spiritual preparation for Easter. Through deepened prayer, abstinence and personal efforts, it should help to experience peace and joy in body and soul. The message was published by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis for Germany, Central and Northern Europe.

At the core of his address, the Metropolitan emphasized the central role of forgiveness. Neither prayer nor fasting could produce spiritual fruit if they were not accompanied by sincere reconciliation with one another. Therefore, he encouraged the faithful to ask for forgiveness themselves and to sincerely forgive others, so as to enter the Easter penitential season with a pure heart.

Furthermore, he emphasized that fasting is far more than a mere external habit – it is rather a path to inner transformation. The spiritual attitude includes modesty in daily life, detachment from excessive attachment to possessions and concrete help for others, especially for those in need. Lent therefore offers the opportunity to practice humility and mercy and to deepen a life lived out of love.

Previously, UOJ reported that the Medical Assembly demanded reform of abortion law.

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