His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod, received His Grace Bishop Mark of Gaborone and Botswana at the Patriarchal Palace last Thursday, Feb. 12.
“I conveyed the greetings of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel,” the visiting hierarch said.
“We discussed the good relations between the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Romanian Patriarchate, the positive ties we also maintain with the Church of Cyprus, as well as past and future collaborations in Africa.”
The visit highlighted the strong relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Bishop Varlaam emphasised, introducing the African hierarch to journalists from the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Missionary work on the African continent
Bishop Mark “carries out a beautiful and admirable missionary work, in which many projects involve partnerships either with institutions of our Church or with faithful members of our Church,” the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop noted.
“It is well known that certain dioceses in Romania, and especially faithful Christians with good material means who wish to help those facing poverty and lack of water, build social housing, dig wells, and construct places of worship for African communities that receive the Gospel and, through Baptism, become part of the Orthodox Church.”
As Bishop Mark is of Cypriot origin, the hierarchs also discussed Romanian priests serving in Cyprus, whose activity is appreciated by the Church of Cyprus.
Appreciation for Romania’s National Cathedral and Church media
“His Grace also expressed extraordinary appreciation for the National Cathedral and for the Basilica Media Centre,” Bishop Varlaam reported.
“In addition to the quality of accurate and up-to-date information transmitted through our Church media, he praised the exceptional quality of the images and sound. From the content of these broadcasts, he realised the remarkable work our Church carries out within Romanian society.”
Bishop Mark was enthroned last year as Bishop of Gaborone and Botswana, after serving for six years as Bishop of Kisumu and Western Kenya. Last week, he officiated at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
