Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has sent a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe on the occasion of his 60th birthday, praising his missionary zeal, pastoral dedication and efforts to strengthen Romanian Orthodox communities across the diaspora.
In the message, the Patriarch of Romania highlights Metropolitan Iosif’s role as a shepherd of communion and unity in Western Europe, noting the expansion of parishes, youth initiatives, and cooperation with other Christian communities under his leadership.
A Missionary, Diligent and Cooperative Chief Shepherd in the Heart of Europe: Metropolitan Iosif Pop at an Anniversary Milestone
The completion of six decades of life by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe represents not only a biographical milestone, but also a moment of thanksgiving under the light of grace.
Born on 19 February 1966 in Vișeu de Jos, in historic Maramureș region, the young Ilie Pop carried into the world the rigour and strength of ancestral faith, together with the simplicity and beauty of Romanian tradition.
His theological formation combined the academic demands of the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Theology in Sibiu with a missionary consciousness shaped by liturgical service, love for monastic spirituality, and doctoral studies at the “Saint-Serge” Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris.
On 29 November 1997, the Electoral Assembly of the Archdiocese of Western and Southern Europe proposed and elected him to the dignity of Archbishop. On 11 December 1997, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved this election.
He was ordained a bishop by an assembly of hierarchs led by His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany and Central Europe on 15 March 1998, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Stephen in Paris.
From early on, Metropolitan Iosif understood that a hierarch in the diaspora is not a solitary administrator working in isolation or self-sufficiency, but bears the responsibility of shepherding the Church of Christ in communion with the universal Orthodox episcopate, exercising constant paternal care and total self-offering for those entrusted to him, after the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10).
Following his election and enthronement in 1998, the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western and Southern Europe further intensified its pastoral-missionary and social-philanthropic activity. Consequently, by decision of the Holy Synod on 21 October 2001, the archdiocese was elevated to the rank of Metropolis, and His Eminence Iosif to the rank of Metropolitan.
The dignity and challenges of serving as shepherd and minister of communion and unity in the Romanian diaspora of the West, within a world marked by rapid and complex changes, require constant adaptation of spiritual guidance, pastoral methods, and missionary means, so as to bear faithful witness to Christ God and His Gospel, and to show love and responsibility toward the faithful entrusted to him on the path of salvation.
Continuing his ministry together with the clergy and all ecclesial institutions of the archdiocese — parishes, monasteries, schools, cultural centres, and lay Christian organisations — His Eminence has consistently cultivated faith and hope, brotherly love and mutual assistance, while cherishing the spirituality and beautiful traditions of the Romanian people.
Looking to the future, he has placed particular emphasis on the Church’s mission to children and youth, founding the association NEPSIS (a Greek word meaning “watchfulness” or “sobriety”), offering Romanian children and young people born abroad an appropriate framework for rediscovering their identity.
The establishment of numerous parish kindergartens, Sunday schools, theological study centres, and assistance centres for Romanians in difficulty confirms that his pastoral vision is comprehensive, embracing the human person in all spiritual and material needs.
An essential dimension of his episcopal ministry dedicated to Romanians in the diaspora has been the ability to build bridges of cooperation with other Christian communities in the West.
At a time when securing places of worship for Romanian Orthodox communities has often posed significant challenges, in collaboration with the Romanian Patriarchate, His Eminence found understanding and support, especially from the Roman Catholic Church, which offered liturgical spaces for several Romanian Orthodox parishes.
Some of these communities have since acquired land and constructed their own churches or purchased historic church buildings placed on the market, becoming landmarks in the spiritual architecture of major European cities.
On this anniversary occasion, we pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Giver of life and of every good gift and the “Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1), to grant His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe many years in good health and abundant strength for the service of the Church and of the Romanian Orthodox faithful in the diaspora.
Many blessed years, Your Eminence!
With paternal blessing and brotherly love in Christ the Lord,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Basilica.ro Files
