On Tuesday, His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, received at the diocesan residence the visit of His Excellency Giles Portman, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania.
The meeting provided the opportunity for a cordial dialogue on the spiritual, cultural and historical links between the two nations.
In this context, Hon Metropolitan Nifon recalled a particularly important moment for the Romanian diaspora in the previous year, when, as a representative of the Patriarch of Romania, he participated in a ceremony in London marking the enthronement of the first Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The presence of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom constitutes a genuine spiritual bridge and a source of stability for the many Romanians who contribute to British social life, benefiting from harmonious cooperation with local authorities and the Church of England, the Archbishop of Târgoviște added.
The dialogue addressed a number of issues of common interest, including the role of religious identity in bringing people and nations closer together, the strength of the historical relations between Romania and the United Kingdom, as well as prospects for cooperation in the fields of inter-Christian dialogue, culture and education, aimed at strengthening the values shared by both sides.
Also present at the meeting at the Residence were Fr Dr Ionuț Adrian Ghibanu, diocesan vicar, Corneliu Ștefan, President of the Dâmbovița County Council, Marian Tănase, Prefect of Dâmbovița County, and Daniel Cristian Stan, Mayor of Târgoviște.
Archbishop Nifon also participated in the 2017 reception at the Romanian Patriarchate for His Majesty Charles III, then Prince of Wales and heir to the British Crown, during his visit to Romania.
Photo: Archdiocese of Târgoviște
