A historical pilgrimage, without echo? The culture of food or survival?
In May, Tribuna reported on the food-free pilgrimage that crossed Sibiu, representing a great challenge for the group led by Iași journalist Cezar Elisei, president of the Therapeutic Fast Association.
Few publications reported on the group that left Iași and walked 1,050 km – in 25 days, only with water, more than a million steps – recording a historic performance, without requesting any public recognition.
Sibiu, stage of a 1000 km food-free pilgrimage! World record, unapproved
On the feast of St. Constantine and Helena, Sibiu was a stopover for a unique pilgrimage. On May 7th of this year, a group of pilgrims – led by the writer and publisher from Iași, Cezar Elisei (40 years old), president of the Postul Terapeutic Association – set off on the route from Iași to Vatra Dornei, Bistrița, Cluj, Alba Iulia, Sibiu; so far, they have walked 570 km, without food, drinking only water! Walking about 40 km per day (an average of 50,000 steps, daily), the group of five people makes a stopover every 7 km, the only food consumption being water (about 3-4 liters per day). The heroes of the pilgrimage are Cezar Elisei – group leader, Florina Kristo (retired, former accountant – Braşov, 69 years old), Vasile Bârzu (retired – mechanic foreman from Galaţi, 67 years old), Iulian Crăciun (former officer, Giurgiu, 47 years old), Ion Gabriel Joiţa (tourism worker, Vâlcea, 47 years old). Medical assistance is provided by Ştefan Petrea (masseur) and Gabriel Calistru (association secretary), in a rented camper van.
"But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
In 2020, Cezar Elisei, President of the Therapeutic Fasting Association, walked approximately 420 km from Iași to Constanța, consuming only water over the course of 9 days. This journey was intended to demonstrate both the body’s resilience during fasting and the human capacity for endurance and transformation. Fasting can strengthen willpower, enhance mental clarity, increase focus, and cultivate optimism. For many, it also deepens the relationship with God, offering inner resources to face life’s challenges with greater strength and clarity.
One Million Steps for God
A Walking Pilgrimage of Over 1,000 km Without Food
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
In 2020, Cezar Elisei, President of the Therapeutic Fasting Association (APT), walked 420 km from Iași to Constanța, consuming only water and no food. Over the course of 9 days, he travelled along public roads to promote therapeutic fasting and to demonstrate the remarkable physical and spiritual capabilities of the human person when guided by discipline and willpower.
This experience showed that fasting can lead to profound transformations:
- strengthened willpower
- increased ability to overcome limits
- enhanced mental strength
- greater optimism
- improved concentration and clarity of thought
At the same time, fasting can bring a person closer to God, with spiritual life becoming a source of strength in facing life’s challenges.
A New Challenge: 1,000 km Without Food
“Take one step toward God, and He will take ten toward you.”
— Tito Colliander
A new and remarkable event is planned for May, when the Therapeutic Fasting Association will organise a walking pilgrimage of over 1,000 km, undertaken without food – only water.
Start:
7 May, 8:30 AM – Bucium Monastery, Iași
Over the course of 23 days, until 29 May, a group of participants will walk across the country along the route:
Iași – Vatra Dornei – Cluj – Alba Iulia – Curtea de Argeș – Câmpulung Muscel – Brașov – Bucharest
The total distance is approximately 1.020 km, equivalent to over one million steps.
Purpose of the Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage has several spiritual and social aims:
- promoting therapeutic water fasting
- prayer for peace in the region
- raising awareness of sacrifice and spiritual discipline
- supporting the project of establishing a therapeutic fasting recovery clinic
Participants offer this journey as a personal sacrifice to God, for the well-being of others and for the healing of physical and spiritual suffering.
Cezar Elisei stated:
“We do not truly have anything to offer God, because everything we have is inherited from those before us. The only real sacrifice is the sacrifice of our time and our will. Through this pilgrimage, we seek God’s mercy for our country – to protect us from war and all harm – and to draw attention to the power of water fasting.”
Based on the participants’ experience, water-only fasting may contribute to improving various conditions and supporting the body’s regeneration, including:
- digestive disorders
- skin conditions
- joint recovery
- certain respiratory or metabolic issues
Previous Experiences
This is not Cezar Elisei’s first such initiative. In 2020, he completed the Iași – Constanța pilgrimage (420 km) in 9 days, also without food.
Following that journey, hundreds of people across the country became interested in therapeutic fasting and its role in improving both health and spiritual life.
A Biblical Inspiration
The organisers recall the biblical account from the Book of Jonah, in which the people of Nineveh turned to God through repentance and fasting, and the city was spared.
Participants hope that their sacrifice will bring good into the world and offer hope during difficult times.
A Major Physical and Spiritual Challenge
This pilgrimage represents a significant challenge, and participants have prepared extensively.
It is estimated that over the 23 days, each participant may lose up to 20 kg, due to physical exertion and the absence of food.
For safety, the group will be continuously monitored by:
- a physician
- a massage therapist
Similar Initiatives Worldwide
Such actions are rare worldwide:
- in Sweden, a group of 11 doctors walked 540 km to promote water fasting
- in France, a group completed a 14-day similar pilgrimage
However, the pilgrimage organised in Romania is considered one of the most extensive of its kind.
Participants’ Testimonials
Iulian Crăciun (47, Giurgiu):
“I was deeply impressed by the experience described in the book Journal of a 40-Day Therapeutic Water Fast. I tried for years to fast and found it difficult. Cezar’s experience showed me that fasting can be done in a balanced and beneficial way.”
Ionel Andronic (Bacău):
“I am participating for my health, for the forgiveness of sins, and as a sacrifice for our country – for peace and for the end of war.”
Florina Kristo (69, Brașov):
“I hope these ideas and therapies become widely known, and that we can show the world the blessed effects of fasting on both body and soul.”
A Call to Support
The organisers invite all Christians to support this initiative through:
- prayer
- fasting (even for one day)
- moral or material support
Pilgrimage Schedule
Start: 7 May – Bucium Monastery, Iași
Finish: 29 May – People’s Salvation Cathedral, Bucharest
Upon arrival in Bucharest, participants will be welcomed by Father Ciprian Grădinaru for a prayer of thanksgiving.
On 30 May, a meeting will be held for those interested in therapeutic fasting.
APT Website Launch
On this occasion, the new website of the Therapeutic Fasting Association will be launched:
asociatiapostului.ro
The website will include:
- information about the association’s activities
- guidelines and contraindications for water fasting
- ways to support APT projects
Images from the pilgrimage will be published daily on the YouTube channel:
Cezar Elisei – Therapeutic Water Fasting
How You Can Participate or Support
You can contribute in several ways:
- join part of the pilgrimage (one day or a ~50 km segment)
- fast or pray for the success of the initiative
- provide financial support for organisation and the future clinic project
APT Phone: 0332 802 834
Email: tabaradepost@gmail.com
Donations
Therapeutic Fasting Association – Raiffeisen Bank
LEI
RO04 RZBR 0000 0600 2305 1110
EURO
RO74 RZBR 0000 0600 2305 1111