His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Monday attended the Te Deum service officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on the feast day of His Beatitude’s Patron Saint, the Holy and Glorious Prophet Daniel.
The Te Deum service was officiated by His Grace Timotei of Prahova, assistant bishop to the Bucharest Archdiocese, and was attended by hierarchs, clergy, state officials and believers.
At the end of the service, Bp Timotei addressed those present referring to the link between Prophet Daniel’s life and Patriarch Daniel’s ministry.
‘There are feast days honouring people, and people who honour feast days. One of such is now celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in honour of the Archpastor of our Church who is honouring his protector,’ the assistant bishop said Dec. 17.
’31 years ago, at an all-night vigil, a young theology professor was tonsured a monk and received a new name, very similar to the names he bore until then,’ Bishop Timotei said noting the similarity between the monastic name of the Romanian Patriarch and his secular names (Dan-Ilie).
His Grace noted that the name Daniel is of Hebrew origin and means ‘God is my judge.’
Bp Timotei added that the Patriarch has always sought ‘to judge with righteous judgement,’ knowing that ‘God is the Judge who judges all humans and takes care of everyone.’
‘May you be loved by God and may you rejoice in the unutterable gifts that come from Him,’ he said addressing the Patriarch.
‘We wish you blessed years and may you rejoice in the fruit of Your Beatitude’s work,’ His Grace said.
Patriarch Daniel thanked Bp Timotei noting that ‘the names we receive at Baptism and in monasticism are gifts from God, because the Saints are first our intercessors, and second our teachers.’
At the end the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church thanked all those present for joining the service and for the whole support given to the Church over time.
See more pictures, courtesy of basilica.ro
Photography courtesy of Mircea Florescu / Basilica.ro