On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar, accompanied by a group of 52 pilgrims, visited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople as part of their pilgrimage to Cappadocia and Asia Minor.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew warmly welcomed the Romanian pilgrims, emphasizing the close ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Orthodox Church. Addressing his guests, he spoke about the responsibility of modern Christians in an increasingly globalized society and reflected on the liturgical significance of the current period—the beginning of the Triodion.
Bishop Iustin expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew for the fraternal and hospitable reception, noting that the pilgrimage was undertaken with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
During the meeting, Bishop Iustin also spoke about the upcoming consecration of the National Cathedral of Romania in October, an event at which Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to participate.
As a token of respect and appreciation, Bishop Iustin presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with:
- An epitrachelion and an omophorion,
- A bedernitsa embroidered with an image of Saint Joseph the Confessor,
- A set of episcopal engolpion and cross,
- A Maramureș voivodal cross,
- An album featuring the wooden churches of Maramureș, and
- A French translation of Nicolae Steinhardt’s “The Happiness Diary”.
In return, Patriarch Bartholomew gifted Bishop Iustin:
- An engolpion, and
- A collection of books about the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the First Ecumenical Council.
Following the meeting, the Romanian pilgrims participated in the Vespers service celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew at the Cathedral of Saint George, the historic seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
This encounter highlighted the strong spiritual connection between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Orthodox Church, reinforcing the shared Orthodox heritage and the importance of pilgrimage in deepening the faith.
Source: Basilica.ro / Photo: Episcopia Maramureșului și Sătmarului / Arhid. Lucian Burnar și Pr. Florin Stan
