Moments of monastic and patristic spirituality

at St. George Cathedral in Saint-Hubert

On the occasion of the feasts of St. Anthony the Great and Sts. Athanasius the Great and Cyril of Alexandria St. George's Cathedral dressed in festive clothes. At the feast of the great Egyptian ascetic, the community participated in the Vigil service organized on this occasion. Among the clergy present were HG Bishop Ioan Casian, Protos. Maxim Morariu and Deacon Valentin Botu.

At the end of the service the hierarch said:

"St. Anthony the Great whom we honored today is the founder of eremitic monasticism. He is the one who through his way of living according to the call heard from God offered an example of the divine life embodied here among us. St. Anthony is the materialistic example of how divine grace can work in our concrete lives. He shows us the way in which through grace, faith and effort our life can become one full of God's good order. It is a life that is a foretaste and an anticipation of the eternal one.”

The Holy Liturgy was also performed on the feast of St. Athanasius and Cyril.

"St. Athanasius and Cyril, although they lived in different but close times, are two luminaries of patristic theology and spirituality. St. Athanasius wrote two very important works – On the Incarnation of the Word and the Life of St. Anthony the Great. He is a great example of the Church about how the Christian faith should be professed. He shows the importance of the Lord's incarnation and how the spiritual life can be pursued in its natural spiritual growth through spiritual effort and help from God.

St. Cyril participated in the 3rd Ecumenical Council and spoke and clarified the teaching about the Mother of God. She is the one who takes care of us and prays to her Son for us all.

Let us be inspired by their example and make each of us disciples of Christ according to the specific way that He gives us in our personal lives."

At the end of the services, the hierarch blessed those present.