His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel arrived this afternoon in Spain where he pays a canonical visit for five days time.

The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church was expected with much warmth by hundreds of faithful at the parish church of the “Saint Birth Giver of God” of Madrid, as we learn from the relation of Aurel Moisiuc, TRINITAS Radio station reporter.

The canonical visit to the Diocese of Spain and Portugal began today, 16 April, with the reception of the Delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church at the Airport of Madrid. There followed the reception of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the Romanian Orthodox parish of “Saint Virgin Mary” of Madrid, where hundreds of faithful came flowers in their hands to meet him. The reception speech was delivered by His Grace Timotei, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Spain and Portugal who said: “The visit of Your Beatitude is a divine sign for us of the pity and great mercy that God bestowed over us, those who promised to give Him all our life. We are glad that due to the great care of God, we can live these days of grace and blessing, and as Bishop of the righteous Romanian people in the Holy Diocese of Spain and Portugal, we welcome you amid us, Your Beatitude”. A Te Deum was celebrated here for all the Romanians who live and work in the entire Diocese of Spain and Portugal. We must mention that the Romanian Orthodox parish of “Saint Virgin Mary” of Madrid celebrates this year thirty years of missionary activity in the Kingdom of Spain.

After the Te Deum service, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a blessing speech for all the Romanians in the Diocese of Spain and Portugal and emphasized the importance of their mission for the construction of the new cathedral in Madrid and for our Romanian Orthodox Church, too: “This holy mission could not be accomplished without the help, support and contribution of all the faithful of the parish of Saint Birth Giver of God of Madrid, called to be partakers in the accomplishment of this mission. So, all will become founders always remembered at the holy services and will foretaste the never setting light of the Resurrection. That is because it is only through the sacrifice of Christ that we may be worthy of the life in Christ. We will celebrate, with the help of God, the religious service for laying the foundation stone of the future Cathedral Church and Episcopal Residence where we expect you all to attend, because it is a historical event in the life of the parish”.

His Beatitude has also offered Teofil Moldovan, the Patriarchal Cross for the fruitful missionary activity he has unfolded for thirty years in the parish of “Saint Virgin Mary” of Madrid. Diplomas of worthiness have also been awarded to those who contribute to the good unfolding of the mission of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the parish of “Saint Vergin Mary” of Madrid.

The visit of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will continue tomorrow, 17 April, with the visit to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Madrid. Then, His Beatitude will meet His Eminence Policarp, Greek Orthodox Archbishop for Spain and Portugal. The same day, the delegation of the Patriarchate will visit the Romanian Orthodox parishes of Saint Great Martyr George in Alcala de Henares, Saint Hierarch Nectarie in Coslada and Saint Andrew the Apostle in Arganda del Rey, where representatives of the local authorities will be also present.