On the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Nektarije of Britain and Ireland celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of St Paul in Bedford, concelebrated by Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Nikola Kotur and Priest Borislav Kovačević.
In his homily, reflecting on the Gospel parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, His Grace emphasised that its message encourages us to begin preparing ourselves spiritually, even now, for the forthcoming Nativity Fast. He called upon the faithful to be of service to their neighbours, not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of those in need, and to cultivate mercy and active love.
The Bishop particularly stressed that fasting also entails refraining from judging our neighbours, so that we may welcome the joyous Feast of the Nativity of Christ with hearts filled with kindness and forgiveness.
