{"id":521595,"date":"2025-04-10T14:50:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T11:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=521595"},"modified":"2025-04-10T14:50:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T11:50:53","slug":"benedict-enthroned-bishop-salaj-zalau-cathedral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/benedict-enthroned-bishop-salaj-zalau-cathedral\/","title":{"rendered":"Benedict enthroned as Bishop of S\u0103laj at Zal\u0103u Cathedral in major Orthodox ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Grace Bishop Benedict was enthroned as Bishop of S\u0103laj on Sunday at the \u201cAscension of the Lord\u201d Cathedral in Zal\u0103u. The ceremony took place after the Divine Liturgy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramure\u0219, and S\u0103laj, along with eight hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, concelebrated at the solemn liturgy.<\/p>\n

The event was attended by priests from the diocese, as well as many faithful who came to welcome their new bishop. Also present were central, county, and local authorities, military officers, representatives of other religious denominations, academics, and guests from the counties of Cluj, Bistri\u021ba-N\u0103s\u0103ud, Alba, and beyond.<\/p>\n

The representative of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the event was Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Paisie of Sinaia.<\/p>\n

The Enthronement Ceremony<\/h2>\n

Metropolitan Andrei led the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Benedict.<\/p>\n

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Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramure\u0219 and S\u0103laj led the enthronement ceremony of Bishop Benedict of S\u0103laj. Photo: Cluj Metropolis \/ Darius Echim & Ionu\u021b Chifa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bishop Iustin of Maramure\u0219 and S\u0103tmar read the official decree, the metropolitan gramata, which formally recognizes and presents the new bishop.<\/p>\n

Metropolitan Andrei then handed Bishop Benedict the insignia of episcopal ministry, including the cross and engolpion gifted by Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and seated him on the bishop\u2019s throne of the Episcopal Cathedral in Zal\u0103u.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, the shepherd must welcome everyone with love. Secondly, he must pray for everyone. We know that His Grace Benedict is a man of prayer and, as Bishop of S\u0103laj, he will pray for you all, for the faithful whom God now gives him as spiritual children,\u201d Metropolitan Andrei emphasized, according to Ziarul Lumina.<\/p>\n

\u201cFurthermore, in addition to welcoming and praying for all, the shepherd must love everyone. Love is a great virtue\u2014the greatest of all! The people of S\u0103laj, faithful, gentle, and humble, need Your Grace\u2019s love, as well as the love of the clergy who minister here. Fourthly, as Saint Peter teaches us, you must bear their burdens\u2014and they are not few. People face many challenges today, and we must do our part to help carry them to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Messages of Welcome<\/h2>\n

Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, State Secretary for Religious Affairs, delivered a message of congratulations to the new bishop.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, you embark on a path of reconfiguration and renewal of diocesan life\u2014a path of change and transformation. Your youth, erudition, and experience in social mission will serve you well on this new journey. It is a time of hope and healing for the clergy and faithful here, and you are called to be the man and servant of this hope,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, congratulated the newly enthroned Bishop of Salaj. Photo: Cluj Metropolis \/ Darius Echim & Ionu\u021b Chifa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Welcome messages were also delivered by the President of the S\u0103laj County Council, Dinu Iancu S\u0103l\u0103janu, and the Deputy Mayor of Zal\u0103u, C\u0103lin Cristian For\u021b.<\/p>\n

The greeting on behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of S\u0103laj was delivered by Fr. Claudiu Nechita, Administrative Vicar of the Diocese:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe welcome you with open hearts, for in Your Grace we see the image of a young hierarch, full of zeal, wisdom, and sacrificial love for the Church and her people\u2014the kind of person the Apostle Paul described to his disciple Timothy, one who brings peace, balance, and spiritual renewal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Words of Gratitude<\/h2>\n

At the end of the enthronement ceremony, Bishop Benedict expressed thanks to Patriarch Daniel, Metropolitan Andrei, and all those present.<\/p>\n

\u201cI firmly believe that every good beginning is rooted in the Liturgy. That is why I will first strive to be a dedicated servant in the Episcopal Cathedral and in the parishes and monasteries of the diocese, seeking a real and personal connection with priests, monastics, and believers in these communities. I will make efforts to strengthen catechetical work in parishes and support cultural initiatives as much as possible,\u201d said His Grace Benedict.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe proper functioning of the St. Nicholas Theological High School in Zal\u0103u will be a key priority of my ministry, along with care for religion teachers, as this subject is essential for the spiritual formation of the younger generation. In the same context, my presence at the Faculty of Theology in Cluj will maintain a connection with the young theologians of this region, whom we hope to see become good priests in due time within our diocese.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bishop Benedict delivering his speech at the enthronement ceremony. Photo: Cluj Metropolis \/ Darius Echim & Ionu\u021b Chifa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His Grace stressed:
\n\u201cA special focus will be placed on the pastoral care of young people\u2014not many remain in small towns or villages, but we hope they will return one day. Philanthropic work will also be of utmost importance in my missionary activity, understanding the many and urgent needs of various social groups, as well as the Church\u2019s role in improving the quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bishop Benedict was elected Bishop of S\u0103laj by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on March 27.<\/p>\n