Today, 28 October 2012, feast of Saint Hierarch Iachint, Metropolitan of Wallachia, the solemn meeting of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was held in Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna of the Patriarchate Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The theme of the meeting was 2012 – Solemn year of the Holy Unction and taking care of the sick in the Romanian Patriarchate.
2012 – Solemn Year of the Holy Unction and Taking Care of the Sick in the Romanian Patriarchate
The meeting was opened by the Patriarch of Romania. Then, His Grace Ciprian Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, read the synthesis dedicated to the “2012 – Solemn year of the Holy Unction and taking care of the sick in the Romanian Patriarchate” which comprised estimations of the most important manifestations with spiritual-religious, cultural and media character organised this year in all the eparchies of the Romanian Patriarchate in the country and abroad.
On this occasion the documentary entitled The Holy Unction – Mystery of Healing, made by Trinitas Television, was broadcast.
5 Years of Basilica
Then, a festive moment took place dedicated to the anniversary of five years since the setting up of Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate (27 October 2007). His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, presented the most important activities of the branches of Basilica Press Centre.
Launching of the New Web Site of Basilica News Agency
At the same time, in this festive framework the new web site of Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate was launched. The new web site is better than the old one from the point of view of performance, graphics, and safety, as the information is much easier to reach, the new interface facilitating the navigation.
The agency was set up at the initiative, with the blessing and care of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, at the feast of Saint Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, on 27 October 2007, as part of the Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate. The official launching of Basilica News Agency took place on 16 June 2008, on the feast of the Holy Trinity, with the motto: The Good News Shared to Everybody.
New Editorial Publications
His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul has also presented the most recent three DVS-s made by Trinitas TV, the most recent three CD-s made by Trinitas Radio station, and the book entitled Orthodox Dialogues at the Beginning of the Millennium: 30 Interviews with Orthodox Hierarchs published by Trinitas Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate.
There followed the presentation of the books entitled Culture and Spirituality. Articles published in “Telegraful roman” (1930 – 1936), by Rev. Prof. Dumitru Staniloae and Life of Emperor Constantine and Other Writings, by Eusebius of Caesarea, col. PSB, vol. 8, published at Basilica Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Then, the editorial new publications of the “Cuvantul vietii” (Word of Life) publishing house of the Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrudgea were presented. The album named Foundations of Saint Neagoe Basarab was presented by Rev. Misu Radu – coordinator of the edition. Afterwards, Rev. Archdeacon Ionut Viorel Iordachescu, eparchial counsellor to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, described the book entitled “Palliative Care. Importance of Counselling the Providers of Medical Palliative Services”, signed by Mrs Adriana Caruntu.
Rev. Nicolae-Cristian Cada, eparchial counsellor to the Archdiocese of Bucharest spoke about another editorial publication, namely The Patriarchal Cathedral – Guide, published at the “Cuvantul vietii” publishing house.
To end with the meeting, His Eminence Efrem, Metropolitan of Ydra, Spetses and Egyna delivered a speech in which he expressed his appreciation for the Romanian Orthodox Church: “I was very impressed to see very young and talented priests, especially the conductors present at the Praise the Lord! National Contest who were all archdeacons and so, we can say from this point of view that the Romanian Orthodox Church is a dynamic Church which firmly promotes Orthodoxy. All these manifestations showed on one hand what was achieved during the five years of Patriarchal service, representing, on the other hand a gift on behalf of the other employees on the occasion of the anniversary of five years of Patriarchal service. All these are welcomed because they are designed to strengthen our communion even more, to unite us all in the same thought and feeling. Thus, it was a sign showing how well it is for all people to cooperate in a unitary body. We must appreciate this unity because unity is our power.”
To end with the solemn meeting of the Holy Synod, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the challenges of the contemporary world to which the Church is called to give answers: “We understand that at present the majority of the countries in this part of Europe are faced with an economical – financial crisis, but we think that the spiritual crisis is more difficult than the economical – financial one. In fact, the root of this economical – financial crisis is a spiritual moral one. Some people’s greed brought about the other people’s lack of material means and money. Therefore, we think that all these trials, as well as the great communist trial, just like the capitalist crisis of nowadays, are trials that urge the Church of Christ to strengthen faith even more”.
Hierarchs of the Holy Synod, the Greek delegation, members of the Standing meeting of the Church National Council and of the Standing meeting of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, members of the teaching staff, archpriests, priests from Bucharest and surroundings, monks, theological and seminary students attended the event.
