Patriarch Daniil: Sin causes sadness, but viceless life and repentance give birth to joy

Patriarch Daniil has served a Holy Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky on the occasion of the Feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem.

After raising Lazarus from the dead, the Son of God went to Jerusalem, where he was joyfully welcomed by the people and as a sign of respect, the road in front of him was covered with palm branches, according to the Bible.

“We know that the Lord came and showed us that He is victorious over death, He has given us life subject to the commandments of Christ, trusting in our repentance and union with God. Therefore, let us abide in the faith, let us reflect on who is the source of our faith and let us know that without our communication with the King of Kings, without following His humility and sacrificial love, there is no way to keep joy in us,” the Patriarch said.

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church pointed out that sin causes sadness and a viceless life and repentance give birth to joy. He wished that we would go through Holy Week faithful to God and thus the Easter joy would be real in our hearts.