Attending the 250th anniversary of the Translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest, Metropolitan Naum of Ruse spoke from the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral about the essential need for unity and joint testimony in these troubled times.
His Eminence Metropolitan Naum conveyed, personally and on behalf of the new Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, “the best wishes for peace and the abundant grace of God upon the entire Romanian Orthodox brotherly people.”
“The devotion that our Orthodox peoples have for the Saint from Basarabov, the prayers through which we seek his heavenly intercession before the throne of God, both in Bulgaria and here in neighbouring Orthodox Romania, are undeniable testimonies of our unity of faith, our common life in Christ, and that decisive overcoming of all boundaries—geographical, political, national, and of any other nature—in which lies the greatest strength of our holy and saving Orthodox faith,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Naum.
“In these times, when differences and conflicts deepen more and more, becoming increasingly difficult to overcome and more threatening to all humanity, and which, unfortunately, do not spare the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ, which we confess in the Creed, we need even more examples and testimonies of unity and that common love which, in the words of the Saviour, is the only clear testimony that we are His and not the enemy’s of human salvation (John 13:35).”
“We believe and are confident that today Saint Demetrius of Basarabov rejoices to see us all together—in unity, in the common testimony of the saving faith in the Conqueror of death, Jesus Christ, and in joint prayer to God for peace and goodwill not only among Orthodox believers but among all Christians and all people in God’s entire creation.”
“Let us always keep before our eyes the life and deeds of the Venerable Demetrius of Basarabov,” urged the Bulgarian hierarch.
“Let us try to live according to his faith and virtues, but let us not forget the history of the transfer of his holy relics and their placement here—on Romanian Orthodox soil, because it is a history of zeal for faith and a worthy example to follow of the love of God, glorified in those who resemble Him.”
The Patriarch of Romania presented Metropolitan Naum of Ruse with an icon of Saint Demetrius the New.
Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
Follow us on X.com: @BasilicaNews
