On Monday, Nicușor Dan took the oath of office as President of Romania before the joint chambers of the Romanian Parliament.
The solemn oath, established by law, was the following: “I solemnly swear to dedicate all my strength and wisdom to the spiritual and material advancement of the Romanian people; to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the country; to defend democracy, the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Romania. So help me God!”
Following the oath, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, offered a moving prayer for the country and for all those entrusted with leading Romania’s villages, cities, and national institutions, up to the highest offices of the State.
From His Beatitude Daniel’s prayer
“Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who in Your unspeakable kindness and wisdom have cared for our Romanian nation, that it might become a people faithful to You, and have granted unto it as inheritance this land—Romania—wherein You have established Your holy Church for the Romanian people, and through It You have sanctified our forefathers, making them worthy to serve You, the Lord and King of all: look down with mercy from Your holy dwelling upon this country, Romania, and upon Your right-believing people,” prayed His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
“All-merciful Lord, bestow upon our leaders the spirit of wisdom and justice, which strengthens and exalts nations. Inspire in their hearts love of country and nation, that they may be leaders blessed by You, through whom Your holy will and the benevolent protection You have shown to Your Church and the Romanian people may be revealed.”
The prayer continued: “Not for our righteousness do we dare to ask for Your mercy and help, but for Your immeasurable love for mankind.”
“And for the unwavering faith and love of Your holy apostles, martyrs, hierarchs, venerable monastics, ruling princes, and faithful laypeople, who now stand before You as intercessors for our country, Romania, and for the right-believing Romanian people everywhere.”
Message to the Romanian people from the new President
“Thank you for the meaningful debate you have engaged in over the past weeks, regardless of the causes you supported,” was the message conveyed to the nation by newly inaugurated President Nicușor Dan.
“I urge you to remain fully engaged, with all the social strength you have demonstrated, thus exerting a constructive and positive pressure upon the institutions of the Romanian state, so they may undergo reform. And I assure you that I shall be a president attentive to the voice of society and a partner to civil society.”
Representatives of the recognised religions in Romania attended the solemn session of the joint chambers of Parliament.
Among the participants were: His Eminence Aurel Percă, Archbishop Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest; Rafael Shaffer, Chief Rabbi of Romania; Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown; former Presidents Emil Constantinescu and Traian Băsescu.
In addition to members of Parliament, the ceremony brought together representatives of central public institutions and authorities under parliamentary oversight, Members of the European Parliament and officials of European institutions, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Bucharest.
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Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
