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In this video, Bishop Macarie shares insights into the spiritual significance of making the sign of the Cross, following the teachings of St. Paisios the Athonite. From passing by hospitals to traveling by plane, he reflects on the importance of these gestures of faith and their impact on everyday life. See the profound impact of these acts of faith through reflections from an Orthodox perspective, emphasizing the role of prayer in seeking God’s mercy and protection in everyday life.
Bishop Macarie is the Romanian Orthodox bishop for Northern Europe. https://episcopiascandinavia.se/en/
Video source: TRINITAS TV https://youtu.be/yGOwcVnfftQ
April 7th, 2024, Romanian Orthodox Parish of The Three Holy Hierarchs, Paris, La Courneuve, France
Bishop Macarie:
Whenever I pass by a hospital, I make the sign of the Cross three times, following the teachings of St. Paisios the Athonite: When we pass by a hospital, let us cross ourselves three times and say: “Lord, have mercy on all those who lie on the bed of suffering in this hospital.” The second time, making the sign of the Cross, we say, “Lord, strengthen those who care for these patients: the doctors, nurses, and the relatives, who sometimes suffer even more than the patients themselves.” And the third time, dear brother and dear sister, make the sign of the Cross and say, “Thank You, Lord, that I am able to use my legs, and I have a healthy mind and body.”
Following St. Paisios’s guidance… I travel by plane very often, as you know, I am a shepherd of souls [Orthodox bishop] in the Nordic [European] countries and the plane is like my second home because I must travel long distances between parish communities. I also make the sign of the Cross three times. With all the sincerity of my heart, even if others do not understand the gesture or might partially understand it, I cross myself three times. First, I remember those who facilitate the flight: the pilots and all the crew members. Second, I pray for the safety of my fellow travelers, both on this plane and wherever people travel by land, sea, or air. And third, I thank God for allowing me to travel, to glorify God and fulfill my mission as a shepherd of souls.
You should know that sometimes, when there is severe turbulence and we are in danger, even non-believers seek God’s help. Often, after we land safely, they thank me for being with them. And they all felt certain that everything would be fine and the plane wouldn’t crash because there was a praying servant, a servant of God, a servant of Christ on board. This is a beautiful testimony. Sometimes, when the flight is smooth, many forget about God, but when the plane is in danger and we are facing death, almost everyone turns to God and finds comfort knowing there is a man of God praying with them. They feel protected because of him, because he believes in God. And they are right, because through the faith of one person, even those who stumble or believe less, or not at all, can receive God’s mercy, as illustrated in the Gospel of healing the paralytic. The paralytic was healed by the Lord through the faith of his four friends who carried him in their arms to the Lord to be healed. Similarly, we should lift up all the powerless and hopeless on the stretcher of our prayers and bring them to Christ our Savior.
