His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem was in Romania from 24 – 27 October 2014. The visit was occasioned by the Feast of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, and it took place at the invitation of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania.
Friday, 24 October 2014
The Delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem met at “Henri Coanda” Airport of Otopeni
Friday, 24 October 2014, at noon, the delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem headed by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III was met at “Henri Coanda” International Airport by His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramures and Salaj – the delegate of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church; His Eminence Ciprian, Archbishop of Buzau and Vrancea; His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Arges and Muscel; His Grace Casian, Archbishop of Lower Danube, His Grace Vincentiu, Bishop of Slobozia and Calarasi, His Grace Ambrozie, Bishop of Giurgiu, His Grace Visarion, Bishop of Tulcea, and His Grace Siluan, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Hungary. The delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem consists of the following hierarchs: His Eminence Arhistarh, Archbishop of Constantina, and His Eminence Nectarie, Archbishop of Antidona and Trustee of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
When getting off the plane, the brass band and the regiment of guard of the Romanian Gendarmerie saluted. The special religious service celebrated in the Official Room of the airport for receiving the holy relics ended with a Polichronium service, as we learn from Lumina newspaper. Archimandrite Timotei Aioanei, Assistant Bishop elect to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, clergy from the Patriarchal Administration, as well as His Excellency Grigorios Vassiloconstandakis, Ambassador of the Greek Republic in Bucharest were also present. The liturgical answers were given by “Potirul” psalmic group of “Radu Voda” Monastery of Bucharest. To end with, His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei delivered a welcome speech. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos answered with a thanksgiving speech for the warm reception he enjoyed. “I am glad because today, Good God and Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, enabled me to be present in your country, in this territory where the saints lived and blessed the Romanian people. I succeeded in bringing to your country a particle of the Holy Cross Wood. As you know very well, the Christian Orthodox people have no frontiers, because they are united through our faith. We bring blessings from the Holy City of Jerusalem to the Romanian people and thank His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for the invitation addressed to us to be present today near you”.
Embrace of the Saints at the Joy Hill
The feast of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest began Friday, 24 October 2014, with the “Way of the Saints” procession, unfolded in the middle of Bucharest. Hierarchs, clergy and faithful took the relics of Saint Pious Dimitrios and of Saint Prince Constantine Brancoveanu in procession, and, as a special blessing, the icon of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen with a particle of the Holy Cross Wood embedded, from Jerusalem.
The “Way of the Saints” pilgrimage began from two locations at the same time. At Joy Hill the relics of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New were taken out of the Patriarchal Cathedral and carried in procession in Queen Maria Bd to the Union Square. The procession headed by His Eminence Teodosie, Archbishop of Tomis, His Grace Mihail, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, and His Grace Ieronim Sinaitul, Assistant Bishop to Patriarch, was made up of servant priests of the Patriarchal Cathedral, of the Eparchial Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, priests of deaneries districts 4, 5, 6, Bucharest, Ilfov South, priests of charity from Bucharest, abbots and monks, students of “Metropolitan Nifon” Theological Seminary, as well as of many faithful of Bucharest. “Tronos” psalmic group of the Patriarchal Cathedral sang the troparion of Saint Pious Dimitrios and other praising chants dedicated to this saint.
From the Metropolitan Cathedral of “Saint Spiridon the New”, the relics of Saint Prince Constantine Brancoveanu were taken in the procession headed by His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, followed by the servants priests of the Metropolitan Cathedral, priests of the Patriarchal Administration, and of the deaneries district 1, 2, and 3 of Bucharest and Ilfov North. The church chants were performed by a group of students of the Theological Seminary of Bucharest. The procession went off in Serban Voda St and Bibescu Voda St till the foot of the Joy Hill. The two branches of the “Way of the Saints” Pilgrimage joined at the stone Brancovean Cross at the foot of the Joy Hill. Then, while here, the delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem arrived from the airport, headed by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by Romanian hierarchs. His Beatitude brought a particle of the Holy Cross Wood embedded in an icon the Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen. Then, the procession made for the Patriarchal Cathedral, where His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church received, on a podium specially arranged close to the place of worship the holy icon brought by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of a group of Romanian and foreign hierarchs. After the reception service for the holy relics, the polichronium service, and praise chants for festive moments were celebrated, His Beatitude Daniel delivered a speech entitled “Way of the Cross – Way of the Saints”. Then, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos delivered a speech, in his turn, in which he thanked for the invitation to visit the Romanian Orthodox Church. His Beatitude has also shown the close relationship between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Romanian Orthodox Church.
To end with, the Holy Cross Wood embedded in the icon of the Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen, the relics of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, and the relics of Saint Martyr Prince Constantine Brancoveanu were laid under the canopy specially arranged close to the Cathedral for the veneration and joy of the faithful.
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Meeting with the students of the University of Bucharest
Saturday, 25 October 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and of All Palestine met the members of the teaching staff, researchers and students of the programme of religious studies within the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures of the University of Bucharest headed by lecturer dr Madeea Axinciuc. The meeting took place in the meeting hall of the University Senate of Bucharest.
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Meeting with the students of the University of Bucharest
Saturday, 25 October 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and of All Palestine, met the teaching staff, researchers and students of the programme of Religious Studies within the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures of the University of Bucharest, run by Lecturer Dr. Madeea Axinciuc. The meeting was held in the meeting room of the University Senate of Bucharest.
The delegate of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel to this meeting was His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste and Patriarchal exarch.
The meeting began with a welcome speech addressed by the moderator, while the Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed his joy for meeting the students and researchers of a centre focused on the study of classic languages and deep knowledge of the life of the Middle East in the past and present.
Then, lecturer dr Madeea Axinciux made a short presentation of the programme she is coordinating within the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, pointing out the presence of a centre of Byzantine studies within.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos congratulated the coordinators of the programme of Religious Studies emphasising the role of Byzantium in regard to the history of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as well as to the topical character of the Byzantine culture. The Patriarch of Jerusalem underlined the role of the Byzantine priests and writers, very topical from the point of view of their treating the themes rediscovered today by psychologists, sociologists and philosophers, as well as the importance of the Byzantine icon which makes Orthodoxy known all over the world.
To end with, some students asked His Beatitude Theophilos a few questions on the role of the archaeological discoveries, as well as on the scientific progress in the field of the Bible past of the Holy Places.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem doctor honoris causa of the University of Bucharest
On 25 October 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Bucharest, in the “Constantin Stoicescu” festivity room of the University of Bucharest, in the presence of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church and of rector dr Mircea Dumitru.
The title was awarded by prof. Dr. Gheorghe Vlad Nistor, president of the Senate of the University of Bucharest, while Laudation was read by lecturer dr. Madeea Axinciuc, coordinator of the programme of Religious studies within the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures. The members of the delegations of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of the Romanian Patriarchate, members of the University Senate, members of the teaching staff, students and people of culture, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps of the Embassies of Israel, Jordan, Palestine and France attended the event.
Madeea Axinciuc read the appreciative text presenting the biography of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and underlining his excellent academic training and involvement of His Beatitude in the Inter-Christian and Inter-religious dialogue.
His Beatitude Theophilos III read the speech entitled “Mission of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem Today”, in which he pointed out the important role of the Church of Jerusalem for the entire Orthodoxy, both in the past of its Byzantine history and at present, through the accommodation of all the pilgrims who come to pray at the Holy Places.
Patriarch Theophilos has also underlined the fact that the “Patriarchate of Jerusalem has been an agent of peace and reconciliation throughout its history and we have a century old experience both in regard to living in various circumstances and to bringing various communities together in order to ensure them all a good living. The Patriarchate has always been aware of the fact that in order to make peace and reconciliation flourish, the religious people should fight, to an equal extent, for justice, mutual recognition, basic human rights, safety and security for all of them”.
To end with, “Armonia” chorus of the Archdiocese of Tomis performed a short group of religious chants in Romanian and Slavonic.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Patriarch of Romania at Cotroceni Palace
Saturday, 25 October 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and His Beatiude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania were received at Cotroceni Palace by the President of Romania, Mr Traian Basescu.
Following the proposal of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III was awarded the National order of the “Romania Star” in Great Cross degree, on behalf of the President of Romania.
As we learn from Trinitas TV, during the meeting, the President of Romania expressed his appreciation for the efforts that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem makes for cultivating the dialogue between religions and confessions at the Holy Places.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem thanked, in his turn, for the contribution of the Romanian community to the Holy Places, either as pilgrims or as citizens settled in Jerusalem.
The Patriarch of Romania thanked the president for the way in which he encouraged all these years the cooperation between the state institutions and the Church, adding the fact that the visit of His Beatitude Theophilos III to Romania means a lot for the faithful of our country, confirming in this way, the historical and spiritual relations that link us to the Holy Places.
Finally, the two Patriarchs and their delegations visited the church of the “Falling Asleep of the Mother of God” in the precincts of Cotroceni Palace.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
The Patriarch of Jerusalem at the Brancovean church
of Saint George the New
Sunday, 26 October 2014, the church of “Saint George the New” of Bucharest received the visit of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The event was so much the more important as over 300 years ago a patriarch of Jerusalem, Hrisant Nottara, celebrated the consecration service of the place of worship. On this occasion, the religious service was celebrated by His Grace Siluan, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Hungary.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste and Patriarchal exarch was also present at the Divine Liturgy.
To end with the celebration, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos expressed his joy to have been in the princely church situated a 0 km of Bucharest. Finally, the Patriarch of Jerusalem offered the church a blessing cross of mother of pearl and an icon of the Mother of God called the “Jerusalemian”.
Then, the parish priest spoke about the history of the church, also remembering the events celebrated this year on the occasion of the Commemorative Year of the Brancovean Saints Martyrs.
At the end, the Patriarch of Jerusalem received several presents on behalf of the church. The delegation which accompanied His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem consisted of His Eminence Aristarhos, Archbishop of Konstantinis and His Eminence Nectarios, Archbishop of Antidonos. Rt rev Archimandrite Timotei Aioanei, Assistant Bishop elect to the Archdiocese of Bucharest was also present at the Divine Liturgy.
Blessing of the residential centre for aged persons of “Saint Silvester” of Bucharest
The residential centre for aged persons of “Saint Silvester” of Bucharest was blessed Sunday, 26 October 2014. The religious service was celebrated by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania, assisted by a group of priests and deacons.
“The purpose of this old people’s home is to bring peace and hope to the persons who will life here. We are grateful first of all to God and to all those through whom God worked”, the Patriarch of Romania said.
The care taken of old people, children and sick shows the degree of civilisation of a nation”, emphasised the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered the centre an icon of the Brancovean Saints Martyrs, and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos offered an icon of the Mother of God and a blessing cross of mother of pearl.
Each of the two Primates received an icon of Saint Prince Neagoe Basarab and a photograph of the Holy Light taken this year at Jerusalem on behalf of Saint Silvester parish.
The “Saint Silvester” residential centre for aged persons was raised with the help of the City Hall district 2 of Bucharest. To end with, the two patriarchs visited the church of “Saint Silvester”.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Feast of Saint Dimitrios the New – Protector of Bucharest, at the Romanian Patriarchate
On the feast of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, 27 October 2014, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania.
Besides the Patriarch of Romania and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the hierarchs members of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the hierarchs members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church were also present.
The liturgical answers were given by Nicolae Lungu chorus of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Important state and local personalities, priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Bucharest attended the event, as well as many faithful and pilgrims who waited patiently at the Patriarchate Hill to pray to the Icon and Holy Relics laid under the canopy specially arranged near the Patriarchal Cathedral.
After reading the Evangelical pericope, the Patriarch of Jerusalem delivered a sermon speaking about the life of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, Protector of Bucharest.
After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a speech entitled the “Religious pilgrims feel the merciful love of God and of the saints in their lives”.
Then, the Patriarch of Romania thanked His Beatitude Theophilos III for his visit to Romania and for having brought the Icon with a particle of the Holy Cross Wood embedded, and awarded him the Order of the “Brancovean Saints Martyrs”.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem offered, in his turn, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church an icon of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and of the Holy Sepulchre, as a present, and a blessing cross too, saying that: “Today’s Divine Liturgy is a confirmation of the fact that we all belong together to the same Church of Jesus Christ, our Lord. We, personally, and the members of our delegation are really grateful to Your Beatitude and to the President of Romania, and certainly, for the distinguished presence of the members of the Romanian Government, which is a sign of our common Christian legacy.”
Then, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel underlined: “We are glad because almost 7000 Romanian Orthodox pilgrims came to the Holy Land this year through the Centre of Pilgrimage of the Romanian Patriarchate and we hope to have 9000 or 10000 pilgrims till the end of the year. All these Romanian Orthodox pilgrims are received with much joy by His Beatitude and by all the servant priests of the Holy Land. This presence of the pilgrims also shows the vocation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to receive pilgrims at the Holy Places. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos told us these days that a lot of people who were at the Holy Place changed their lives, even if they were not very religious. Some of them came as tourists, and then returned as pilgrims. They felt the help of God in their lives too these days of pilgrimage to Saint Pious Parascheva from Iasi, since this year it is 70 years since her relics were brought here. In 1944, Saint Pious Parascheva was brought to Bucharest to protect the shrine of her relics, here, at the Patriarchal Cathedral for the feast of Saint Dimitrios. Then, the shrine of her relics was at the church Monastery of Ciorogarla-Samurcasesti, close to Bucharest, for several weeks. Thus, these days we have seen a lot of faithful both in Iasi and here, in Bucharest, who came in spite of the very cold weather”.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem has also spoken about the importance of the pilgrimages to the Holy Land
To end with, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanked all the hierarchs present and all those involved in the good development of the celebration of the dedication day of the Patriarchal Cathedral: central and local authorities, priests, professors, theological students, seminary students, gendarmes and volunteers from various medical organisations.
Departure of the Delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
To end with the visit of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to Bucharest, the icon of the Saints Emperors with a particle of the Holy Cross wood embedded was taken to the Patriarchal Residence. After all the hierarchs present prayed to it, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanked the Patriarch of Jerusalem for his visit and for the very precious icon brought these days to the Joy Hill.
“Thank you from the bottom of our heart for the great joy that you did us these days through the presence of Your Beatitude here and of the delegation accompanying you, and especially for this gift, this special blessing, namely the fact that you brought the blessed wood of the Holy Cross which meant great joy to all pilgrims. We pray Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Crucified and Risen to give you the joy He gave to the women of myrrh on the morning of His Resurrection and the peace He gave to the Saints Apostles on the evening of His Resurrection. It is with this peace and joy from Christ that we all strengthen ourselves in the communion of the Orthodox faith”, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church said, according to Trinitas TV.
Thanksgiving speech addressed by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos
“We go back home richer due to the experience we acquired here, due to the life of the Church of Romania, and realize the power of the Holy Cross and of our Orthodox faith. Your Beatitude, I have no words to express my thanks for the cordial hospitality, spontaneous, warm and brotherly you showed us!”, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos said.
Patriarch of Jerusalem and Patriarch of Romania at Victoria Palace
Monday evening, 27 October 2014, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Patriarch of Romania visited Victoria Palace. His Beatitude Theophilos and His Beatitude Daniel met Prime Minister Victor Ponta, and talked about the pilgrims who visit the Holy Land as well as about the beauty of the feast days in Bucharest.
The delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem left from the Government seat to Otopeni Airport accompanied by His Grace Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste and Patriarchal Exarch – as we learn from Trinitas TV.
The visit of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to Bucharest was paid at the invitation of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
