His Eminence Atanasie was enthroned on Saturday in London as the first Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The event was held in the new “Holy Great Martyr George” Cathedral, newly established by refurbishing a historic church building in Enfield.
Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the enthronement ceremony commenced with the reading of the Metropolitan Tome of Enthronement by Bishop Siluan of Italy.
Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe then presented Archbishop Atanasie with the episcopal insignia and presided over the festive ceremony, which included congratulations and heartfelt wishes for the new ministry.
Patriarch Daniel of Romania transmitted a message emphasizing that the enthronement “marks the beginning of a new stage in your service of the Church of Christ, characterized by multiple responsibilities and a holy calling to shepherd a Romanian Orthodox community far from its homeland.”
His Beatitude congratulated His Eminence Atanasie and assured him of his constant prayers and support. His Eminence Nifon, the Patriarch’s official delegate to the event, delivered the full message.
Message from His Majesty King Charles
The Lord Chamberlain, the Right Honourable Richard Henry Ronald Benyon, conveyed the felicitations of His Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of the enthronement of the first Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain.
He recalled the King’s deep affection for Romania and the Romanian people and conveyed the King’s sincere regret that he was unable to attend the event in person.
His Majesty expressed that the enthronement of the new Romanian Archbishop is a moment of genuine celebration and yet another sign of the enduring bonds between the peoples of the United Kingdom and Romania.
Her Excellency Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom, expressed her joy at witnessing this historic moment and offered her warmest wishes to His Eminence Atanasie.
“I am confident that you will strengthen the Romanian community here in the Kingdom and bring much good into the lives of all its members,” said Ambassador Popescu.
Ciprian Olinici, State Secretary for Religious Affairs, extended congratulations on behalf of the Romanian Government, highlighting that Archbishop Atanasie is now entrusted with the pastoral care of the largest Romanian diaspora community, numbering over 1.4 million people.
“You are now called to give meaning and substance to some of the most powerful words in our national and spiritual heritage: home, homeland, nation, language, and faith. These words resonate differently in the homeland, but once one crosses its borders, they become filled with longing, joy, memory, and hope,” said State Secretary Olinici.
“Care for All”
Metropolitan Iosif likewise offered a series of exhortations to Archbishop Atanasie:
“You are well acquainted with these three spiritual tasks, of which I’d like to remind you, knowing you have already lived them and fulfilled them: seeking out those entrusted to your care; spiritually edifying the souls through the words spoken by the Word; both accomplished through the living witness of your faith, crowned by unconditional love for Him Who loves us perfectly — the Son of God, Who has become the Friend of those who follow Him.”
“The young require much attention; the elderly, even more. There is much loneliness and inner suffering among those who have left behind their homeland and families, in search of a new life. You are called to meet these needs together with the priests, deacons, monastics, and all who dedicate themselves to the service of their neighbour. Care for all, as you have learned and fulfilled in your previous ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Italy, under the guidance of His Grace Siluan,” said Metropolitan Iosif.
“Great Responsibility, Overwhelming Grace”
“Facing this new calling extended by our Church to me – to serve the newly established Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with faith and dedication – I feel overwhelmed by a deep sense of humility,” confessed Archbishop Atanasie after the service.
“These moments of sacred solemnity are an opportunity for me to bow wholeheartedly before God, fully aware of my own limitations and of the great responsibility that lies before me.”
“The gift of this new ministry comes with great responsibility, yet it is accompanied by overwhelming grace, one that brings renewing grace to this land; a land blessed by the blood of the first Martyrs of Great Britain and by the Celtic Saints who brought an inextinguishable light to this part of the world.”
His Eminence also expressed his deep gratitude to all who have stood by him during his formation and service.
“All I can do is take up the cross that I receive and embrace today, to carry it high, as high as I can. It is a new beginning, it is a difficult beginning, but I entrust my life and ministry to the Good Shepherd,” declared the newly enthroned Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain.
Alongside the Romanian hierarchs, the event was also graced by the presence of Bishop Maximos of Melitene, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain; Antiochian Metropolitan Silouan of the British Isles and Ireland; and Georgian Archbishop Andria of Great Britain and Ireland.
Among those in attendance were Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Kingdom; representatives of both British and Romanian authorities; members of the diplomatic and consular corps; delegates from European institutions; and representatives of Christian Churches and confessions throughout the United Kingdom.
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Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
