On March 4th, Patriarch Daniel of Romania celebrates 34 years since his ordination as a Hierarch.
Born in 1951 in the village of Dobrești, Patriarch Daniel was the third child of teacher Alexe and Stela Ciobotea. He embraced monastic life at 36, in 1987, at Sihăstria Monastery, following doctoral studies in theology in Bucharest under Father Dumitru Stăniloae and in Strasbourg.
As Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, he undertook various pastoral, administrative, academic, and social initiatives. Notably, he led efforts to fortify and restore the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași and establish the first Church hospital approved by the Ministry of Health, the Providencia Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
In September 2007, he ascended to the position of Patriarch of Romania. One of Patriarch Daniel’s significant endeavors is overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral, a project he views as a mandate passed down from his predecessors.
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Romanian Patriarchate’s establishment, preparations are underway for the consecration of the mosaic painting in the National Cathedral and the canonization of several Romanian saints, including those who suffered as confessors in communist prisons and esteemed clergy members.
Source: Basilica.ro