At the start of the year 2010, proclaimed by the Holy Synod as a Year of Homage of the Orthodox Creed and of Romanian Autocephaly through the Romanian Patriarchy, in the context of the 125th anniversary since the Romanian Orthodox Church became autocephalous and of 85 years since its elevation to the level of Patriarchy, the hierarchs of the Holy Synod make a Call from the soul to all Romanian Orthodox clerics and laics who are outside the country’s borders, found –without blessing—in other sister Orthodox Churches or in non-canonic church structures, to return to direct communion with the Mother Church, that is to the canonic jurisdiction of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
The accomplishment of this desideratum represents the fulfillment of the provisions from the Statute for the organization and operation of the Romanian Orthodox Church, which mentions the fact that the Romanian Orthodox Church is the Church of the Romanian people and comprises the Orthodox Christians within the country and the Romanian Orthodox Christians outside the borders of the country (art. 5), while the pastoral and canonic organizing of the Romanian Orthodox Christians outside the borders of Romania is ensured by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church (art. 8). This principle is in full agreement with the decision of the Pan Orthodox Presynodal Conference at Chambesy – Switzerland (June 6-13 2009), which specifies that each autocephalous Church has the right to pastor its own diaspora.
The mentioned statutory provisions express the duty of the Romanian Orthodox Church and is based on the 16th canon of the First Ecumenical Synod (325 AD), which affirms the principle that an eparchy is not permitted to receive under its jurisdiction orthodox clerics and laics, without the blessing of the Church (eparchy) to which these belong.
In that sense, we mention also the fact that the process of return of Orthodox clergy and faithful of various nationalities to the Mother Church (for example to the Russian Patriarchy and the Serbian Patriarchy) has already started some time ago and it has shown that, through Orthodox ethnic mutual responsibility and solidarity, it is possible to overcome conjunctural historic divisions, motivated in the past by political criteria.
At this time, 20 years after the fall of the Communist regime in Eastern Europe, when Romania is a member of the European Union and of NATO and under the conditions in which the Romanian Orthodox Church is developing an unprecedented activity outside the borders of the country by reorganizing and founding of numerous eparchies throughout the world, we judge that justifiable reasons no longer exist for rejecting the call of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church to Romanian Orthodox unity and communion.
We believe that this attitude of Romanian Orthodox revival and reconciliation will consolidate and intensify missionary-pastoral, social-philanthropic and cultural-educational work of the Romanian Orthodox Church everywhere, strengthening at the same time Romanian Orthodox dignity, through the freeing of some of the Orthodox Romanians of the complex as “seekers of canonic shadows” among foreigners.
We regret that due to several reasons, some of our Romanian Orthodox brothers have headed towards other Orthodox jurisdictions, during the Communist era, however what used to be excusable in the past has become unjustifiable and even regrettable in the present, that is, the estrangement of Romanians one from another, up to the their religious separation.
In the belief that our call to Romanian Orthodox unity and dignity will be received with joy and responsibility, as the desire for fraternal communion and cooperation, we share with you special appreciation and fatherly blessing.
PRESIDENT OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
† D A N I E L
Archbishop of Bucharest,
Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea, Locum Tenens of the throne of Cappadocia Caesarea and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
together with all the members of the Holy Synod
ROMANIAN PATRIARCHY PRESS RELEASE: Commemorative services for His Beatitude in Dormition Patriarch Teoctist at the two-year commemoration of his passing into the eternal
On Saturday, July 25, 2009, following Holy Liturgy officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest at 12 PM, His Eminence Ciprian Câmpineanul, patriarchal Bishop Vicar, will conduct a commemorative service for His Beatitude in Dormition Patriarch Teoctist at the commemoration of two years since his passing into the eternal.
The participants will include priests, monks, nuns, family members of Patriarch Father Teoctist and other faithful from Bucharest and the country.
On the same day, starting at 12 PM, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will officiate, as well, a commemorative service for Patriarch Father Teoctist and will address a word of homage for the personality of the fifth Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the church of the Dormition of the Mother of God at the Saint Mary monastery in Techirghiol (Constanţa county), patriarchal stavropegy.
PRESS BUREAU OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHY
The new bishop of the Eparchy of Huşi is His Grace Corneliu
June 18 2009 /BASILICA/
During the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church that took place today, June 18, at the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presiding, His Grace Corneliu was elected for the chair of bishop of the Eparchy of Huşi. His Grace was chosen with 43 votes, as related by Mircea Toma (reporter at the radio station of the Romanian Patriarchy) for Radio TRINITAS, during the program „Romania Today”.
The new bishop of the Eparchy of Slobozia and Călăraşi is His Grace Vincenţiu
June 18 2009 /BASILICA/
During the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church that took place today, June 18, at the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presiding, His Grace Vincenţiu was elected for the chair of bishop of the Eparchy of Slobozia and Călăraşi. His Grace was chosen with 39 votes, as related by Mircea Toma (reporter at the radio station of the Romanian Patriarchy) for Radio TRINITAS, during the program „Romania Today”.
Working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church: June 18-19 2009
June 17 2009 /BASILICA/
On June 18-19 2009, starting at 10AM , at the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presiding, there will take place a working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Among other current issues of church life, the agenda will include the election of titular hierarchs for the vacant chairs of bishops of the Eparchy of Slobozia and Călăraş, respectively the Eparchy of Huşi.
THE PRESS BUREAU OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHY
PRESS RELEASE:
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Protector of The Foundation Pro Oriente
/BASILICA/
Today, June 15 2009, The Foundation Pro Oriente arranged for a festive moment in honor of the Romanian Orthodox Church and of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who was conferred the Diploma of Protector of The Foundation Pro Oriente. This Foundation was established in 1964 by Cardinal Franz König towards the development of relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches.
On this occasion, The First Among the Romanian Orthodox Church presented the lecture entitled “The Situation of the Romanian Orthodox Church and her ecumenical relations in the context of the new Europe (1989-2009)”
THE PRESS BUREAU OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHY
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel journeyed, today, to Austria
June 12 2009 / BASILICA/
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, journeyed today, June 12 2009, to Austria, where he will make a pastoral visit lasting four days. He will meet here with members of the Romanian Orthodox community and will consecrate two new churches.
On Saturday, June 13 2009, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, surrounded by a gathering of Romanian hierarchs and Orthodox priests as well as priests of sister Orthodox Churches in Europe, will consecrate the new Romanian church in Salzburg and will perform Holy Liturgy, while on Sunday, June 14 2009, the First Among the Romanian Orthodox Church will consecrate the new church of the Romanian Orthodox parish in Vienna.
At the two events there will also participate representatives of other Christian Churches, of the state and local Austrian authorities, of the Romanian Embassy in Vienna, priests and members of the Romanian Orthodox community in Austria and from other European states.
On Monday, June 15 2009, the Foundation Pro Oriente will arrange for a festive event in honor of the Romanian Orthodox Church and of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who will be conferred the Diploma of Protector of the Pro Oriente Foundation. On this occasion, His Beatitude will hold a conference with the theme of the Situation of the Romanian Orthodox Church and her ecumenical relations within the context of the new Europe (1989-2009).
During his pastoral visit in Austria, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will hold meetings with representatives of sister Orthodox Churches and of other Christian Churches, with the President of Austria, with other state authorities and members of the diplomatic corps. In addition, the First Among the Romanian Orthodox Church will visit St. Stephen’s Dome, the National Library of Austria –where there is an exhibit of Romanian books and manuscripts– , the Museum of Art, and will officiate at a memorial service at the Cross erected by the ruler Şerban Cantacuzino in Vienna in 1683, after the siege of Vienna.
Source: Radio TRINITAS
Wayside cross erected on Daco-Roman ruins
June 9, 2009
On the third day of the Pentecost, the community holy day of the Romanian Orthodox parish of Aquae, Geanova and Sărmănovăţ near Nigocin, a new wayside cross was erected on the Daco-Roman ruins near the village of Geanova, at the place known among the locals as the „Monastery at the mouth of the Dupleana”. This wayside cross is the donation of the Council of the Timiş county and was brought from Romania with the help of the following associations: George Pomuţ, The Federation of the Rumanians of Serbia (Federaţia rumânilor din Serbia), and The Community of the Romanians of Serbia (Comunitatea românilor din Serbia). The religious consecration was officiated by His Grace Dr. DANIIL, Bishop of Dacia Felix in Vârşeţ, together with the protopresbyter econome stavrophore Boian Aleksandrovici, protopresbyter of Dacia Ripensis and local pastor, the econome stavrophore priest Teodor Miclea of Uzdin, the archimandrite Longhin Muntean of Vârşeţ, the priest Emanuel Tăpălagă of Sânmihai and the econome stavrophore priest Petru Măran of Seleuş. At this historic event participated Mr. Eugen Tomac, State Secretary for Romanians from Abroad, Mr. Viorel Badea, Senator of Romania, Mr. Gabriel Andrei, spokesman for the Romanian Embassy in Belgrade, representatives of local Romanian associations as well as of those from the Serbian Banat, representatives of the Romanian Councils of Serbia and several hundred local faithful. Following the spiritual part there was also a get-together with Romanian songs and dances from the region.
The fourth anniversary of father Boian’s ordination as deacon and priest
June 4, 2009
Today, June 4, 2009, is the fourth anniversary since father Boian, pastor of Mălainiţa and Remesiana and protopresbyter of Remesiana, was ordained deacon by His Grace Dr. DANIIL, at that time Bishop of the Romanians in Serbia.
Father Boian was ordained at the Prislop monastery, founded by Saint Nicodim of Tismana, on June 4, 2005, and the following day, June 5, 2009, was ordained priest in charge of the parish of Mălainiţa and elevated as clergyman, econome stavrophore, protopresbyter and was named protopresbyter of Dacia Ripensis at the monastery in the Retezat mountains in Romania.
Also on June 5 at the holy day of the Ascension of the Lord, two years earlier, in 2005, father Boian was elevated to the step of hypodeacon in the Romanian Orthodox cathedral in Vârşeţ.
The Holy Day of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen was celebrated in Mălainiţa
June 3, 2009
The faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Eastern Serbia today celebrated the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen. For the Timoceans today’s religious holiday was of great significance and joy because at the Holy Liturgy, conducted by Boian Aleksandrovici, Protopresbyter of Dacia Ripensis and Pastor of Mălainiţa and Remesiana, together with the spiritual elders of the monasteries Holy Cross and Annunciation from Oradea, also present was His Grace SOFRONIE, Bishop of Oradea, who spoke a word of teaching. The spiritual elders of the monasteries together with the nuns sang at this important and significant service. The joy of the faithful of Timoc was great and His Grace Sofronie was invited to come again to Timoc together with the nuns and monks cu served today but also with the faithful of the eparchy of Oradea. Following the services His Grace Sofronie spoke with the faithful in his own dialect which was identical to that from Mălainiţa, and said: “I too can speak as you do because we also speak the same way in our homes”. Among the faithful a comment was heard that His Grace Sofronie spoke as if he had been born in Mălainiţa.
Following a communal repast in Mălainiţa, Father Boian made a pilgrimage with the nuns and spiritual elders to the holy places on the southern side of the Danube (modern Serbia). They visited archeological sites at Remesiana (the foundation of the church where St. Nicetas served), where a Te Deum was sung in a Latin tongue (Romanian) for the first time in more than 1500 years. After Remesiana, Mediana of Naissus (Niş), birthplace of the Holy Emperor Constantine, was also visited.
The sixth day of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel’s visit to Cappadocia
June 1, 2009 /BASILICA/
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, visited today, June 1st, the historic region of Cappadocia, the Museum Park Göreme (Korama), where there is an ensemble of churches carved out of rock. One of the oldest churches there is consecrated to St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
At the end of today’s pilgrimage, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel declared: We are glad to discover the connections Cappadocia had with the lands of our country, with Romania, and especially to admire the beauty of Byzantine painting. Here, in addition to the beauty of nature, we also admired the beauty of faith. And we are very glad that during these days there have been many of us Greek and Romanian hierarchs, here, and very many faithful pilgrims, who together prayed at Vespers on Saturday evening in the “Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen” church, while on Sunday we conducted together the Holy Liturgy and both the Greek faithful and the Romanian faithful pilgrims sang. Moreover, we had meetings with several members of local Turkish authorities, here in the region, who assured us we will be able to send numerous tourists, who will be able to visit the Christian sites, will receive authorization or will receive keys so they may enter the churches that once belonged to the Greek Orthodox Christians from here. And personally I feel that this visit was not only a joy but also a blessing, inasmuch as we carry in our title this designation as locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia and this since 1776, when the Ecumenical Patriarchy gave this honorific title to the Metropolitan of Ungrovlachia.
Also during this day, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel made two protocol visits to the city of Neapolis.
Source: Radio TRINITAS
Meeting of the Romanian Orthodox Church delegation with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchy
May 29, 2009 / BASILICA/
A delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church, led by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, met today, May 29, 2009, with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchy headed by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople. The meeting took place in the synodal hall of the Ecumenical Patriarchy in Constantinople.
His Eminence Ciprian Câmpineanul, patriarchal vicar Bishop, presented the topics of discussion during the encounter.
Source: TRINITAS
On the occasion of the Ascension of Our Lord, His Beatitude Daniel and His All-Holiness Bartholomew I celebrated the Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Phanar
May 28 2009, /BASILICA/
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, while on visit to Istanbul, celebrated Liturgy today, May 28 2009, in the patriarchal Cathedral “The Great Martyr St. George” in Phanar, together with His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Holy Liturgy was conducted during the celebration of the Ascension of Our Lord.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered today as a gift to his host, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch, a patriarchal set of engolpions, a filigreed chalice, books and an icon of Saint Jacint of Vicina, the first metropolitan of Wallachia to be recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchy.
In his address, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the significance of this magnificent holiday. His All-Holiness Bartholomew I thanked His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for the visit and repeated the message of hope for good will among men.
Source: TRINITAS
Mălainiţa celebrated today the village’s religious holiday
May 28 2009
The Ascension of our Lord, or the Ispas as we say it here, is the holiday celebrated by the village of Mălainiţa as the religious holiday known among the populace as “ruga satului” (prayer of the village). The celebration began with the Holy Liturgy conducted at the church of the Holy Archangels in this village by the Protopresbyter-stavrophore Boian Aleksandrovici, vicar of Mălainiţa and Remesiana and presbyter of Dacia Ripensis. Following the Holy Liturgy, a procession took place to the foundation of the church in process of contruction consecrated to St. Nicetas of Remesiana and to the shrines of Mălainiţa where many inhabitants of this village were in attendance.
At 19 hours in the center of Mălainiţa – Gigioni (the Gigeasca quarter), at the “Zgrada” there will be a dance with a cultural program of local folk music, thus completing the celebration of this important holiday.
The difficulties encountered by the Romanian Orthodox Church in Serbia were described to the Special Rapporteur of the UN
Timoc Press May 1, 2009
Asma Jahangir
Belgrade, Serbia / TimocPress / Friday, May 1, 2009 / – At the invitation of Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur of the UN for the freedom of religion, at the seat of the UNDP in Belgrade, Mission to Serbia, there was a discussion about the situation of the Romanian Orthodox Church in this country. The Right Reverend Daniil, Bishop of Dacia Felix in Vrsac, the Protopresbyter-Stavrophore Boian Aleksandrovici, vicar of Malainiţa and Remesiana and protopresbyter of Dacia Ripensis, and Duşan Pârvulovici, President of the Committee for Human Rights in Negotin, member of the Network of Committees for Human Rights in Serbia (CHRIS) spoke about the difficulties this church is having especially in Northeastern Serbia. Michael Wiener, UN Officer for Human Rights and Maria Rauš, UN Officer of the National Program for Human Rights, also participated in the meeting.
