During a memorial service Saturday at Căldărușani Monastery, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania commemorated Primate Metropolitan Ghenadie Petrescu, former abbot of the monastery during 1905-1918, marking his 100th death anniversary.
Prior to the memorial service His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Bucharest Archdiocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
The Patriarch delivered a speech referring to the life of Metropolitan Ghenadie and his contribution to the liturgical and social activities of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
‘During his 18 years archpastorship at Arges (1876-1893), Bishop Ghenadie Petrescu proved to be a diligent hierarch, paying much attention to the needs of the diocese he led.’
‘He closely supervised the restoration of many places of worship within his jurisdiction, including the ample restoration works carried out at the Diocesan Cathedral of Curtea de Arges, the foundation of Ruler Prince Saint Neagoe Basarab, according to the architectural plans of the French architect André Lecomte de Noüy.’
Patriarch Daniel stressed that Metropolitan Ghenadie suffered during his life because of his devotion to the Church.
‘The struggle of Bishop Ghenadie Petrescu for the profit of the Church has provided a worthy example for the future ministers of the Church, but has also brought numerous inconveniences to the worthy hierarch, especially because of the misunderstandings with King Carol I of Romania (1866-1914).’
‘In 1896, following some unjust accusations, he was judged by the Holy Synod and deposed from the dignity of Primate Metropolitan, and then sent as a simple monk to Caldarusani Monastery, where he lived until August 31, 1918,’ the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church noted August 25.
After the memorial service, the Patriarch of Romania laid a wreath of flowers at the tomb of Primate Metropolitan Ghenadie Petrescu.
Photos: Mihnea Păduraru / Ziarul Lumina
