On Wednesday, June 12, His Excellency Msgr. Antonio Mattiazzo, Bishop Emeritus of Padua, Italy, visited the Romanian Patriarchate.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the former Bishop of Padua at the “Patriarch Teoctist” Hall of the Patriarchal Residence.
Bishop Emeritus Antonio Mattiazzo recalled his excellent relations with Romanian Orthodox theologians, as many students and researchers from Romania have received scholarships to study in Padua, an important cultural and university centre of Italy.
“I thank His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for granting me this audience. We have known each other since he was the Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina. Thanks to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, with whom I have had a very good relationship in terms of theology, spirituality, and mission, certain meetings have been possible to show His Beatitude’s openness towards this Christian connection,” declared the Roman Catholic Bishop.
“Due to this relationship, the provision of scholarships and the hosting of Romanian Orthodox theologians continued. The ties with the Romanian Orthodox Church continued with the arrival of many Romanians in the West, some of whom settled in Italy, where we offered them hospitality, churches, and places to pray. Thus, the bond of unity and brotherly love we developed with the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian people was shown. That is why every time I return to Romania joyfully and feel at home,” His Excellency Antonio Mattiazzo confessed.
Photography courtesy of Lumina Newspaper / Luigi Ivanciu
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