His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church received on Saturday, at the Patriarchal Residence, a delegation of the Armenian Church led by Bishop Datev Hagopian, Head of the Armenian Diocese in Romania.
The visit was made on the occasion of the rededication of the Armenian Archdiocesan Cathedral “Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Bucharest, which this year marks 110 years since its consecration.
In his remarks, Patriarch Daniel underlined the long-standing relations between the Romanian and Armenian peoples.
“We are glad that in Romania, relations between Armenians and Romanians are very old. The recognition of the Armenian community by Prince Alexander the Good at the beginning of the 15th century demonstrated that this region had been a region of coexistence and cooperation among Christians. We are very glad that the relations between Armenians and Romanians are very old in this country,” the Patriarch said.
Romanians and Armenians in the diaspora
His Beatitude noted that there are similarities in pastoral ministry, given that both nations have significant diaspora communities.
“Many of our hierarchs have met Armenian hierarchs in various countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada, sharing the same missionary experience. This work in the diaspora is necessary and difficult because we are minorities in countries that are mainly Catholic, Protestant or Anglican. We therefore have beautiful and longstanding ties of co-operation between Romanians and Armenians,” Patriarch Daniel said.
The Armenian delegation visited the Hall of Romanian Saints, the Museum of the Patriarchs of Romania and the Chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr at the Patriarchal Residence, where they familiarised themselves with the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
At the end of the meeting, each member of the Armenian delegation received symbolic gifts from Patriarch Daniel, including the volume dedicated to the National Cathedral, entitled “The National Cathedral – An Ideal Fulfilled”, as well as the album “National Unity and Dignity. The Romanian Patriarchate – 100 Years of Activity in the Life of the Romanian People.”
After the visit to the Patriarchal Residence, the Armenian guests went to the National Cathedral together with Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
