Patriarch Daniel of Romania celebrated his name day on Tuesday, the feast day of the Prophet Daniel. Following the Te Deum service officiated by His Grace Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, His Beatitude remarked that the prophet “also appears as a protector of those far from home who preserve the faith of their people and their homeland.”
“After the Jews returned to the Holy Land and were helped by the Persian kings to rebuild the Temple, the Prophet Daniel remained in exile and died in exile alongside some of the Jews who stayed where they had been taken into captivity,” His Beatitude explained.
“The Prophet Daniel and the three young men exemplify fidelity to the ancient faith and love for their homeland. They were geographically distant from their country but remained close to the faith of their homeland and the people of Israel.”
Prophecies of Prophet Daniel
Patriarch Daniel also noted that Saint Prophet Daniel was the only one to predict the sacrifice of the Messiah: “He foretold that in 490 years, the Messiah would be sacrificed in Jerusalem, an innocent man would be killed. And he added immediately: the people of a foreign ruler will destroy the city and the Temple. This prophecy came true when the Romans destroyed the city and the Temple.”
“This prophecy about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the end of Temple sacrifices was fulfilled exactly, demonstrating the great illumination that came from God,” the Patriarch emphasized.
He also referenced another prophecy cited by Christ in the Gospel of John: “In the last days, those in the graves will rise, as the Prophet Daniel says, to resurrection: those who have done good to eternal life, and those who have done evil to condemnation and shame.”
“This text is echoed by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John,” His Beatitude added.
God’s Work Continues Through the Saints
“For us today, God’s work through the saints continues, through the saints of every generation and every Christian people. For example, tomorrow we celebrate Saint Daniel the Hermit, an advisor to Saint Stephen the Great,” His Beatitude said.
“Saint Daniel the Hermit or the Hesychast was not an interpreter of dreams like the Prophet Daniel, but he was a foreseer. He advised Stephen the Great to have strong faith in moments of great trial, as he would ultimately prevail. He foresaw the future because he was a man of prayer, united with God through prayer.”
“His mind was illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and he could see events in the near or distant future that would favour Christians. Thus, the saints of the Church include the Holy Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Hesychasts, and the saints God has chosen throughout the ages,” His Beatitude continued.
“We must learn how God, who knows time and its direction toward eternal life, has used people to bring hope to the faithful and strengthen their faith.”
Understanding the Meaning of the Names We Bear
“We, too, give thanks to God because the names we bear have, above all, the value of protection. The saint whose name we bear—either at baptism or monasticism—is a protector of the one who carries it,” the Patriarch explained.
“Secondly, through his or her life and teachings, that saint becomes a teacher for the one who bears their name. They also encourage us to seek the communion of saints, to read Scripture with the same mindset as the Holy Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Saints of Christ from all generations and nations.”
“In general, the Church has recognized that most names in the Old Testament are theophoric—they refer to God, His presence, and His work through and in people for the benefit of all humanity,” His Beatitude added.
“When we bear a name, we should understand its meaning in the language of its origin, appreciate its significance, and find joy in being protected, taught, and guided by saints, for the glory of the Holy Trinity and our salvation.”
The Celebration
The Te Deum service marking Patriarch Daniel’s name day was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral and attended by Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova, clerics, and advisors of the Patriarchal Administration.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
