His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, sent a message on Sunday for the episcopal ordination of His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Trotuș, who served for a decade as the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in Jerusalem and the Holy Places.
“This blessed appointment to the episcopal ministry is a testimony to Your Grace’s faithfulness, humility, and zeal for the Church of Christ, which you have served with devotion both in the Holy Places and in the Holy City of Jerusalem, as the representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem,” said His Beatitude.
“We vividly remember the entirety of Your Grace’s priestly service and the sincere dedication you showed throughout your ministry in the Church, especially during the ten years spent in the City of Jerusalem – this Holy Seat of faith and witness – at the Fearsome Golgotha and the Empty Tomb of the Great and First High Priest, Christ, who was crucified, buried, and risen from the dead,” the Patriarch of Jerusalem further wrote to the newly ordained Romanian hierarch.
Toward the end of his message, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III shared reflections on spiritual shepherding from the Holy Scriptures and offered prayers for a blessed episcopacy for the assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău.
“Invoking the grace of the Most Holy and Divine Spirit, we pray that He will strengthen you, support you, and enlighten you at all times. And from the life-giving and Most Holy Tomb, we embrace you with a holy kiss and rejoice together in celebration,” concluded His Beatitude.
His Grace Bishop Teofil of Trotuș received the gift of episcopacy on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman by His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina.
Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate
