It was a busy year for all levels of Romanian society, no less on the ecclesiastical level. In 2023, Patriarch Daniel demonstrated a keen awareness of significant societal issues and events through his prayers, tangible acts he instigated or coordinated, and noteworthy addresses.

Basilica.ro reviews the events, messages and public actions in which His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel participated.

The Patriarch and the youth

Patriarch Daniel’s presence is indispensable at the International Meetings of Orthodox Youth. He was present at the seventh edition of the gathering, which took place last year in Timișoara after a three-year hiatus.

His Beatitude reminded the youth that they are a source of joy and blessing for their families, the Church, and the nation in his address on friendship.

Patriarch Daniel values youth and encourages volunteering in the Church. That is why His Beatitude met with representatives from the Romanian Orthodox Students’ Association (ASCOR) from all over Romania and participated in the “Youth in Action” volunteer Gala.

“Through the involvement of young volunteers, the Church continues to be a living and active presence in the community’s life. They are a source of inspiration and hope for a world that often seems to forget basic human values. Thus, volunteering in the Church remains a strong link that highlights what is most deeply human in us, generosity or humble and merciful love,” Patriarch Daniel said during the gala.

The Patriarch and the elderly

2023 was the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Elderly. The Patriarch of Romania’s visit to Christiana Monastery’s retirement home is just one expression of the activities he encouraged and coordinated last year.

The Romanian Orthodox Church carries out social activities through numerous centres, services or programs for the elderly. The Church supports more than 66,000 older people every day: seniors who are alone, unable to move, abandoned by their families and who have serious health problems.

Simultaneously, the Romanian Patriarchate and the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity signed a cooperation protocol for inclusion and social assistance in observance of the Solemn Year 2023. This protocol aims to enhance collaboration in the social sector, particularly concerning long-term care and other initiatives and programmes that benefit all disadvantaged social classes.

On the International Day of the Elderly, Patriarch Daniel conveyed a message of gratitude and appreciation and called for an “encouragement of the participation of the elderly in the life of the Church, but also a more consistent contribution of the family, the Church and society in support of the elderly, and an intensification of social-philanthropic and cultural activities dedicated to this social category.”

Reactions to world events

Sensitive to global issues, the Patriarch of Romania promptly responded to the devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria the previous year by coordinating fundraising efforts, sending humanitarian aid, and delivering messages of solidarity.

Furthermore, His Beatitude was among the initial public figures to offer their condolences following the demise of the Metropolitan of Pergamon, the tragic railway accident in Greece, the bombardment of a church in Gaza, and the repose of other Orthodox figures.

Also, anniversaries were not overlooked. Examples include the Patriarch’s congratulations to the Basilica News Agency on its 15th anniversary, Radio Trinitas on its 25th anniversary, and the Romanian Orthodox Magazine on its 150th anniversary.

Basilica.ro staff together with Patriarch Daniel (2023). Photo: Lumina Newspaper

Public events, visits

Patriarch Daniel attended several formal events in Bucharest, such as the “Centenary of the Constitution of the United Romania” celebration, the inauguration of the new government, the launch of a new volume about the Library of the Romanian Academy, and the reception honouring King Charles III that the President of Romania hosted.

In addition, he honoured the Palace of the Patriarchate for many cultural occasions, including the inauguration of a museum showcasing ecclesiastical art from the Peter and Monica Maria Peterson collection.

In 2023, His Beatitude received several official visits, including that of an Athonite delegation from St George-Colciu Cell, which presented a fragment of the relics of the Venerable Father Dionisie Ignat, that of abbot Ephraim of Vatopedi, meetings with various ambassadors, and the farewell visit of the apostolic nuncio Miguel Maury Buendía at the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in Romania.

Apostolic Nuncio to Romania pays farewell visit to Patriarch Daniel. Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

Exhortations

During the services conducted this year, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel consistently delivered profound interpretations of the biblical texts, offered practical counsel, and expanded upon contemporary interpretations of the ancient writings.

An instance that Basilica.ro readers admired was when Patriarch Daniel, in his homily at Pasărea Monastery, applied biblical principles to practical situations such as crowd discipline, environmental protection, and food waste.

On the first day of the year, His Beatitude presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral and proclaimed 2024 as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Sick and Commemorative Year of all holy unmercenary healers.

Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro