Note on the Enthronement of His Beatitude Daniel Ciobotea
NOTE
on the Enthronement
of His Beatitude Daniel Ciobotea
on the see of Archbishop of Bucharest,
Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea
and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
By the Father’s will, the Son’s aid and the Holy Spirit’s working, God worshipped in the Trinity, in the year of our salvation 2007, on the 12th of September, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, summoned by His Eminence Daniel Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, Locum tenens of the Patriarch, convened in an extraordinary session, presided by His Eminence Nicolae, the senior hierarch with respect to the time of his ordination to the episcopate, according to the order of the diptychs. Thus the Holy Synod designated three of its members to be presented to the Church’s Electoral College in order to be elected for the see of Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, which see has become vacant through the departure to the Lord of Patriarch Teoctist of happy remembrance on the 30th of July 2007.
Having reflected upon this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, on the same day, 12th December 2007, the members of the Church’s Electoral College chose from among the three hierarchs nominated by the Holy Synod His Eminence Daniel Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, who was accounted worthy to occupy the vacant throne of Father and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, through his exemplary three-fold ministry of teaching, sanctification and leadership as Christ’s Hierarch.
Reflecting the consent of the Romanian Orthodox Church in its unity and entirety, represented by the members of the Holy Synod, the clergy and lay delegates of the dioceses, and the representatives of seminaries and faculties of theology present at the meeting of the Church’s Electoral College responsibly considered the steadfastness of faith and action, the tireless missionary zeal and the obedience to the Holy Synod in all the tasks entrusted to His Eminence Daniel, in his capacity of Archbishop of Iaşi, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina. He represented our Holy Church at many important international inter-Christian and inter-religious forums and conventions, benefiting from appreciation and recognition inside the country and abroad. These have been demonstrated by awards and academic titles received as founder of theological, cultural, social and charitable institutions, religious publications, as a renowned theologian, professor and author of many academic theological works, hundreds of articles and papers in Romanian and other foreign languages instrumental in promoting religious life and the education of seminary students and theology undergradutes.
Taking into account his deep involvement in spiritual living, pastoral mission and all aspects of the hierarchical ministry, the Church’s Electoral College became even firmer in its conviction that His Eminence is worthy to become the future Primate and Archshepherd of the Church, and elected him Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea, and the sixth Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, an election which the Holy Synod validated and approved in its special synodal meeting on 12th September 2007.
Today, on the 30th of September 2007, on the 19th Sunday after the Pentecost, in the Patriarchal Cathedral there took place the ceremonies occasioned by the enthronement of His Beatitude Daniel as Primate and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Divine Liturgy and the Te Deum (Doxology) service were celebrated and he was handed the insignia of the patriarchal dignity: the Enthronement Gramata of the Holy Synod, the patriarchal mantle, the white kamilavka with a cross on it, the patriarchal cross and engolpions, as well as the archpastoral staff, during the enthronement ceremony celebrated by Their Eminences Metropolitans, members of the Holy Synod, in the presence of most revered guests representing the sister Orthodox churches, the other national and foreign Christian Churches and religious organisations, other international religious organisations, Romania’s state institutions and in the presence of the representatives of institutions for theological education, the clergy, faithful, monks and nuns from the entire Romanian Orthodox Church.
In unity of thought and feeling, the entire Christian gathering magnified God for the gift He bestowed on the Romanian Orthodox Church.
The ceremonies from the Patriarchal Cathedral were followed by the festive session of the Holy Synod, organised in the Great Hall of the Palace of the Romanian Patriarchate, where congratulations messages were read on behalf of the government, the representatives of the participant Churches and the leaders of other religions in the country.
May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Great and Good Shepherd grant to the elected and enthroned Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, a fruitful and long-lasting pastorship for the Holy Orthodox Church of the Romanian people, in truth, kindness, justice and perseverence in the preaching of the Word, so that he may continue and increase religious life in Christ’s Church in Romania, preserving his unceasing vigilance and faith in our Saviour and the Perfecter of our faith.
Lord save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
…………….
Biroul de Presă al Patriarhiei Române.