Thirty eight hierarchs assembled at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Monday to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and attend the Te Deum service marking the 12th anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
Patriarch Daniel wished all those who gathered in prayer of thanksgiving that they may receive from God “the joy of bearing fruit.”
“The only true joy in this world is the joy of bearing fruit, which comes from making effort.”
“Let us continue the good works because only together we can keep the spirit of communion, the Holy Spirit who shares with us the love of the Most Holy Trinity,” the Patriarch of Romania told the congregation.
On the same topic – “the joy of bearing fruit” – spoke Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube at the end of the Te Deum service.
Archbishop Casian underscored the achievements of the Church made under Patriarch Daniel’s guidance and their impact on society.
Listing several major endeavours, the Archbishop mentioned the construction of the National Cathedral, the establishment of the Basilica Media Centre, the establishment of new dioceses and parishes in the diaspora, and social-philanthropic activities.
Archbishop Casian said that the new Orthodox Cathedral in Bucharest is “a porch of heaven on Romanian land,” and stressed its double “mission and significance:” “The Cathedral of faith unity shepherded by the First-called Apostle Andrew and the Memorial Cathedral honouring the sacrifices made over time for the unity and dignity of the Romanian people.”
The Archbishop of Lower Danube said that the Basilica Media Centre is “an extension of the House of God, a way to extend ecclesiology, liturgical service, educational ministry, cultural stewardship and social-philanthropic service” in people’s homes.
Among Patriarch Daniel’s achievements for the last 12 years, Archbishop Casian mentioned the drafting of the new Statutes for the Organization of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the development of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth, numerous pilgrimages, the arrival of holy relics to Romania and historical meetings.
The Archbishop also referred to the Church’s mission in the diaspora and stressed that the approximately 1,000 Romanian parishes abroad are “centres of culture, spirituality where the longing for home is soothed, where young intellectuals together with our exceptional hierarchs, together with our hardworking priests in the diaspora have built an eternal bridge of grace between Romanians at home and from everywhere.”
Patriarch Daniel thanked Archbishop Casian for the “warm words” adding that “it is our duty to thank God for everything.”
A special moment in the Patriarchal Cathedral was when two children brought flowers to the Primate of Romania wishing him, “Many happy returns, Father Patriarch!”
The event continued at the Europa Christiana Hall at the Patriarchate’s Palace, where congratulation messages were presented by representatives of local and state authorities, as well as from other public institutions.
Source: Basilica.ro
