His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received a delegation of clergy from the Diocese of Dacia Felix at the Patriarchal Residence on Thursday. The delegation was led by Fr Boian Alexandrovici, Romanian Orthodox Vicar of the Timok Valley.
The delegation included Fr Doru Ovidiu Ursu, secretary of the vicariate and the Deanery of Bor and Lăpușnea; Fr Antonie Isac, Dean of Morava; Fr Petru Hogea from Negotin; Fr Anton Chera, a priest serving at a church in Bor; and Fr Florin Petru Popava, a priest at Malajnica Monastery.
During their visit to Bucharest, the clergy visited several churches in the Romanian capital, including the National Cathedral, the Patriarchal Cathedral, the New St Spyridon Church and the Old St Spyridon Church.
The example of St Magdalena of Malajnica
Patriarch Daniel congratulated the delegation members on their ministry among Romanian communities in the Timok Valley and on organising the celebrations associated with the canonisation of St Magdalena of Malajnica.
“You ensured that the local proclamation of the canonisation of St Magdalena of Malajnica became a particularly joyful and festive occasion for everyone who attended,” His Beatitude said.
The Patriarch of Romania highlighted the saint’s example of gaining wisdom through faith and prayer.
“She was a simple woman, but she had strong faith and was a missionary in difficult times, during communist rule. In this respect, she is a model for all Christian laypeople and all Orthodox lay believers.”
“In St Magdalena of Malajnica, we have a simple Christian missionary who had little formal education but possessed firmness and steadfastness,” Patriarch Daniel added.
Referring to St Magdalena as an intercessor for both the Romanian and Serbian peoples, the Patriarch encouraged the clergy to continue their ministry.
“We hope you will find ways to intensify and expand the work you have begun to preserve identity, in good cooperation with our Serbian Orthodox brothers.”
Support for Romanians in Serbia
Fr Boian Alexandrovici emphasised that the visit to the Romanian Patriarchate encouraged Romanian clergy serving in the Timok Valley.
“It is a great joy for us and a tremendous source of support and encouragement, because we serve in an area with a historic Romanian community, and historic communities, as is often the case, face many problems related to identity crises.”
“Without the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of our own people, without the support of the Patriarchate, we would not exist as Romanians,” the vicar added.
During the meeting, Patriarch Daniel awarded Fr Boian Alexandrovici the Faith and Communion Order, while the other delegation members received the St John Chrysostom Order. His Beatitude also presented several books to the clergy.
In turn, the Romanian Orthodox vicar offered Patriarch Daniel an icon depicting St Magdalena of Malajnica.
