Today, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Celebrates 62 Years of Life.
On this occasion, an anniversary festivity was held in Europa Christiana hall of the Patriarchate Palace with the participation of His Eminence Ciprian, Archbishop of Buzau and Vrancea, His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, His Grace Ignatie Mureseanul, Vicar hierarch to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal, members of the standing meetings of the Church National Council and of the Standing meeting of the Eparchial Council of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, abbots, abbesses and archpriests of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, of the dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Bucharest, and of reverend professors of the same high educational unit.
The following members of the Romanian Government were present at this festivity:
-Mr. Daniel Constantin, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
-Mr. Mircea Dusa, Minister of National Defence
-Mr. Varujan Vosganian, Minister of Economy
-Mr. Cristian David, Delegate Minister for the Romanians from Everywhere
-Mr. Nicolae Banicioiu, Minister of Youth and Sport
-Mr. Mihnea Cosmin Costoiu, Delegate Minister for High Education, Scientific Research and Technological Development
-Mr. Victor Opaschi, State Secretary for Religious Affairs
Messages of congratulations were conveyed on behalf of the state representatives and of all the collaborators of the Patriarch of Romania. We render below the following messages:
Message on behalf of the President of Romania
Your Beatitude,
On the occasion of your birthday I have the great pleasure to address you my best thoughts and sincerest wishes of good health, long life and fulfilment of all the projects you initiated within the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Please, receive, Your Beatitude, the expression of my high esteem.
Ad Multos Annos, Your Beatitude!
Traian Basescu,
President of Romania
Message on behalf of the President of the Romanian Senate
Your Beatitude,
I am very honoured to address you my best wishes at this anniversary time, and I assure you of all my respect and full support in the work you do in the service of the Romanian Orthodoxy.
I wish you good health, peace and power to implement all the projects you initiated during the last few years.
On this occasion I express my gratitude for the role that the Church plays in the life of the Romanian people for meeting the needs of the communities and aspirations for better life of all faithful.
No matter how hard times may be, the house of God has always been the strong hope of the Romanian people.
I wish you, Your Beatitude, long life with many happy blessed years!
Crin Antonescu
President of the Romanian Senate
Message on behalf of the Prime Minister of Romania
Your Beatitude,
I avail of the anniversary of your birthday to wish you many fruitful years in the service of the Romanian Orthodox Church and of the Romanian people.
Your Beatitude’s anniversary time is an opportunity to meditate on the personality of a man who re-estimated and revived the entire activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church in all her aspects.
Although most often symbolic we hope that my personal help and that of the Government that I lead was and continues to be a concrete efficient support for solving some of the priorities of the Church.
Your Beatitude’s determination and firmness, as well as the dynamism and responsibility you showed all these years were and continue to be a model for all those who know you.
Fully aware that God will always enlighten you to every good thing, I assure you of all my high esteem and support.
Victor-Viorel Ponta
Prime Minister
To end with, His Beatitude addressed a thanksgiving speech to all those present.
The celebration of His Beatitude Daniel’s birthday began in the morning, at 7.30 hours, with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the chapel of “Saint Martyr George” in the Patriarchal Residence.
