Patriarhia Romana

Remembrance Service of the Late Patriarch Iustin, in the Patriarchal Cathedral

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Today, 31 July 2010, a remembrance service for Patriarch Iustin was celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral, 24 years since his passing away. His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, assisted by a group of priests and deacons celebrated the remembrance service at 11.00 o’clock a.m., with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. His Grace read the message of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, addressed on the occasion of the commemoration of 24 years since the passing away of Patriarch Iustin Moisescu, entitled “Patriarch Iustin – a strong pillar in the storm”. After the remembrance service a Trisaghion was celebrated at the grave of Patriarch Iustin inside the Patriarchal Cathedral.

Message Of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch Of The Romanian Orthodox Church On The Occasion Of The Commemoration Of Three Years Since The Passing Away Of Patriarch Teoctist Arăpaşu, 30 July 2010: Patriarch Teoctist – A Resurrection Icon Lamp

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Today it is three years since the Romanian Orthodox Church and the entire Christian world received with great sorrow in their souls the news about the passing away of the late Patriarch Teoctist († 30 July 2007). At this time of remembrance and homage in the memory of this worthy Arch-shepherd of the Romanian Orthodoxy, his never-ending love for the Church and people, his bright image and kindness of his soul are still alive in our hearts. His pastoral, missionary, spiritual, cultural and social work for the welfare of the Romanian Orthodox Church represents, for us, the hierarchs, clergy and faithful living today, a means of understanding in a more spiritual way the recent history of our Church, which had to face many trials and humiliations, but which has also had the powerful help of God to overcome these trials. We still remember with great emotion the “Bethlehem” of Patriarch Teoctist, the area of Botoşani in beautiful Moldova, where he was born, where he joined the monks of Vorona Monastery as brother and where he had the first jobs in the Church. From the Moldovian land of Saint Steven the Great till the Patriarchal dignity, the late Patriarch Teoctist added years and ranks in the service of Christ and of His Church, 57 years as a hierarch, as well as a servant of the holy altar (hierodeacon, hieromonk, hierarch), 70 years in all. Patriarch Teoctist spread light of the light of Christ around him, because he was a pious diligent hierarch. He served both in the time of communist oppression and of the restless freedom, but always in a missionary context, which needed vigilance and sacrifice, much wisdom and spiritual fight. This is why the prayer experience has been a source of spiritual power for him, of courage and wisdom, of kindness and forgiveness, of dialogue and co-operation both in time of sorrow and sufferance and in time of new hope and of many achievements. His stability in faith as spiritual strength helped him to serve the Church in hard times, following the example of Saint Paul the Apostle: “in times of troubles, hardships, and difficulties, (…) in purity, knowledge, patience and kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love” (2 Corinthians 6, 4-6). Patriarch Teoctist was a diligent wise hierarch who worked for keeping the faith and the Romanian cultural values this faith inspired. After 1990, Patriarch Teoctist used freedom for following the Romanian tradition of the active presence of the Church in society. He spread light and hope through the many churches built from foundation, through the canonization of many Romanian saints, through the introduction of religion in the public schools, through the reintegration of the theological education in the state network, through the re-establishment of the religious assistance of the charitable priests in the military units, in hospitals and prisons, setting up some social-charitable centres for the disadvantaged people, as well as medical consulting rooms and social-medical centres. He brought joy to many Romanians through the re-established eparchies or through those set up for the first time in the country and outside the present frontiers of Romania. He cultivated communion through the brotherly relations full of spiritual light and warmth with all the other sister Orthodox Churches, as well as through the fatherly care for our Romanian brothers from everywhere. His kind peaceful soul has often urged to dialogue and co-operation with other Christian Churches, as he was a wise shepherd keeping the irenical tradition of the Romanian Orthodoxy, which avoided both the isolation from other Christians and the dissolution of their own identity when meeting or co-existing with them. The most obvious results of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Bucharest, in May 1999, and of Patriarch Teoctist to Rome, in October 2002, are the many Roman-Catholic churches from Italy and Spain offered as space of prayer to the faithful of over 200 Romanian Orthodox parishes in these countries, till our parishes can build their own places of worship. This fact shows us that the brotherly dialogue and mutual respect increases generosity and kindness, as well practical co-operation among Churches, although there are still obstacles in the way of re-establishing their unity of faith and of ecclesiastic life. The rich legacy His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist bequeathed us must be further kept and cultivated with wisdom and responsibility. Even at his venerable age, Patriarch Teoctist showed an amazing youth and vivid dynamics in the reception and promotion of the new pastoral missionary chances of the Church in today’s Romanian society. At the same time, he was aware there were always certain issues to be solved according to the concrete needs of the Church. Let us only think of his ardent desire to see the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation built. If in three years since his passing away important steps were taken in view of preparing the building project of the new Cathedral, this is due to the fact our present efforts are sustained by his prayers in heaven. In this sense, we kept the location His Beatitude chose for building the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation and organised the contest for the design needed for building it on the respective location. A firm from Bacău wan the contest presenting a cathedral project inspired by the style of the Romanian Orthodox cathedrals of the 20th century, a synthesis between the Eastern Byzantine style and the Western neo-classic style, especially since the Romanians have always had, throughout history, the vocation of synthesis, of the spiritual arches uniting different centuries and spaces. This has also been the desire of Patriarch Teoctist: a cathedral in the Romanian architectural style. Patriarch Teoctist remains in our memory, through everything he bequeathed us as spiritual legacy of his Romanian and religious activity, as a wise patient shepherd, always prayerful to God. Because we still feel today that due to the light of his life and exemplary deeds, our worthy to remember Patriarch Teoctist is mysteriously present in our Church, as a resurrection icon lamp, as a spiritual guide, we pray Christ, our Lord and eternal High Priest, to put his soul in the dwelling places of His servants, in the joy of the angels, in the light and love of the Holy Trinity. May he be always remembered from generation to generation! †Daniel Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church

Remembrance Service For The Late Patriarch Teoctist At The Patriarchal Cathedral

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Today, 30 July 2010, the remembrance service for Patriarch Teoctist, was celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral, three years since his passing away. The remembrance service was celebrated at 11.00 o’clock a.m., by His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, assisted by a group of priests and deacons, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. His Grace Ciprian Câmpineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, priests, hundreds of faithful and relatives of Patriarch Teoctist attended the religious service. His Grace read the message of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, addressed on the occasion of the commemoration of three years since the passing away of Patriarch Teoctist Arăpaşu, entitled “Patriarch Teoctist – A Resurrection Icon Lamp”. After the remembrance service, a Trisaghion service was celebrated at the grave of Patriarch Teoctist, inside the Patriarchal Cathedral.

The Paraclisi Him Service Will Be Celebrated In The Parishes And Monasteries Of The Archdiocese Of Bucharest During The Fasting For The Feast Of The Falling Asleep Of The Mother Of God

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Following the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel the paraclisi him service will be celebrated in the parishes and monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest on every fasting day for the feast of the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God. Rev. Archimandrite Timotei Aioanei, great eclesiarch of the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest and cultural exarch of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, gave more information to Trinitas Radio station: “Following the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, after the Vesper service, the Paraclisi him service will be celebrated in all the monasteries and sketes of the Archdiocese of Bucharest during the fasting period for the feast of the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God. In fact, the faithful are used with the Paraclisi him service which we have celebrated during the last few years, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest every Sunday, after the Vesper service.

PRESS RELEASE: Remembrance service for the worthy to remember Patriarch Teoctist at the commemoration of three years since his passing away

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

The Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate informs us: Friday, 30 July 2010, after the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral, at 11.00 o’clock a.m., His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, will celebrate a remembrance service for the worthy to remember Patriarch Teoctist at the commemoration of three years since his passing away (30 July 2007). Priests, monks, nuns, members of the family of Patriarch Teoctist and faithful from Bucharest and from all over the country will attend the service. Saturday, 31 July 2010, after the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral, at 11.00 o’clock a.m., His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, will celebrate a remembrance service for the worthy to remember Patriarch Iustin, at the commemoration of 24 years since his passing away (31 July 1986).

Let us promote co-operation not confrontation between the lay State and the autonomous religious cults

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

The Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate informs: We give the following explanations concerning the Answer of the Social – Humanist Association of Romania (ASUR in Romanian) to the remarks of the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate: 1. THE SECULARISATION OF THE MONASTIC ESTATES INCLUDED ALL THE CHURCH ESTATES, NOT ONLY THOSE OF THE MONASTERIES DEDICATED We are surprised by the fact that the ASUR representatives do not know that through the Bill for the secularisation of the monastic estates adopted and published on 17/29 December 1863, the state confiscated, with no discrimination whatsoever, both the estates of the monasteries dedicated to the Holy Places and of those not dedicated. So, article 1 of the Bill mentioned: “All the monastic estates of Romania are and remain state estates.” According to historian Constantin C. Giurescu (Life and Work of Cuza Vodă, Scientific Editorial Office, Bucharest, 1966, pp. 148 – 149) in Wallachia, the monasteries not dedicated held 16,55% of the agricultural and forest terrain of the country (the dedicated ones held 11,14%), while in Moldova the not dedicated monasteries held 12,16% of the agricultural and forest terrain of the country (the dedicated ones held 19,17%). For example, about 300,000 ha of agricultural and forest terrain was confiscated from the Metropolitan See of Moldova and Bucovina through the Secularisation Bill. If the monasteries of the Holy Places were allotted a compensatory amount of money, as compensation and support, even though never granted in the end, no compensatory measures were provided in the Secularisation Bill for the monasteries not dedicated to the Holy Places. In this context, we mention the fact that till Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the church estates, autonomous and not dedicated, were administrated in the two Principalities, Wallakia and Moldova, by the Central House of the Church, with the incomes acquired used for maintaining and operating the units of cults, building and repairing churches, paying the clergy’s salaries, as well as for the social work or setting up schools and paying the teaching staff’s wages. The Church contributed with money to the development of the Romanian education, as well as with many intra-village plots of land, granted free of charge, on which schools have been built, a reality that can be seen today in many localities, where the schools are built close to the churches. In 1860, the incomes of the Central House in the two Principalities have been included directly into the budgets of the two provinces, although the state should not have had any right over them. Consequently, the state assumed the responsibility to support the units of cult and the church staff. In 1863, the Bill for the married clergy and seminaries was adopted which provided the payment of the priests’ wages from the state budget, while the next year the Bill for regulating the rural properties provided the granting of an agricultural plot of land to the churches, the so called parochial rented plot of land. Yet, these agricultural plots provided modest income, as seen in the analysis of the state of the religious cults in Romania completed, the Ministry for Religious Affairs made during the two world wars, which mentioned that only 2% of the Transylvanian Orthodox parishes and 3% of those of the Kingdom could maintain themselves only by their own means. These agricultural and forest plots of land as well as the other properties of the cults were confiscated by the communist regime after 1948. After 1990, Bill 18/1991 of the territorial fund has limited to 5 ha the plots of land that could be retroceded to the parishes, so that most times the difference of property could never be acquired, not even today, after the legislative changes from 1997, 2000 and 2005. Before the communist regime, the Church had admirable institutions for administrating her estates (Church House, trusteeship councils, ephorates, foundations) that enabled her to support social centers, schools, hospitals, orphanages, and to help poor families. At present, a large part of her estates still belong to the state, a regrettable situation after 20 years since the fall of the communist regime in Romania. 2. THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE BUDGET COVERS ONLY PART OF THE CULTS’ EXPENSES The support granted from the state budget covers only a part of the expenses for the wages of the clergy and non-clergy staff of the religious cults. In the Romanian Orthodox Church there are lots of wages paid only from the eparchies funds. For example, in the Patriarchal Administration only a third of the employees benefit of support from the state budget to their wages, while two thirds are paid only from the Church funds. Besides the wage system expenses of the church units, there are also the expenses for maintaining the buildings and covering the utilities (electricity, running water, heating, telephones etc.) provided, with great efforts, only from the church funds acquired by the production and trading of candles, calendars, religious books and objects, liturgical wine and some rents. The maintenance and repairing of the places of worship, many of them historical monuments, also have an important place in the expenses of the cults units, most often with no support whatsoever from the state. The church patrimony is made up, in its majority, of old places of worship and buildings, which need important investments for a normal operation. No other money allotted from the state budget in 2010 besides the financial support for the wages of the servant staff, especially for administrational, social and educational activity, create, in the case of the Romanian Orthodox Church, difficulties for sustaining the large social and educational work she unfolds at national level. The very few examples of funds provided through Government decrees to some Orthodox units of cult are isolated and irrelevant for the general aspect of the issue. In fact, all the funds from the public budget granted to the religious cults are periodically checked by the Court for Accounts and by some other public competent institutions to check the observation of their purpose and correct usage. The objection of the ASUR to annex XII, article 8, paragraph 2 of the Bill for unitary wage system (330/2009), concerning the possibility to increase the number of posts for the clergy staff is not justified, because the increase of the number of posts is related to the extension of the pastoral-missionary, social-charitable and cultural-educational activities of the Church, for the benefit of a larger number of people in need. In this context, we inform the representatives of the ASUR that although during the last few years the Romanian Orthodox Church has increased the activity she unfolds in society, since 2008 no other extra post has been provided with state budget contribution. 3. THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES SUSTAIN THE PARISHES ACTIVITY As for the benevolent contributions for celebrating the religious services (baptisms, weddings, funerals), we inform the ASUR representatives that their value is established in every parish by the parochial assembly following the proposal of the parochial council, in accordance with the material possibilities of the community of faithful (the social cases enjoy gratuitousness and support on behalf of the parishes). The contributions registered in the bookkeeping of every parish (submitted to the internal financial control) are used for maintaining the place of worship and for completing the wages of the staff employed (the majority of them provided entirely from the parish incomes). Moreover, social centers operate in co-operation with many parishes (canteens, medical consulting rooms, old people’s homes etc.) partially or entirely subsidized by their own incomes. The attempt of generalization, with no discernment whatsoever, by the ASUR, of a few isolated cases of financial indiscipline in such situations proves their not knowing the way of organization and operation of the Orthodox Church units (parish, monastery, deanery, eparchy and patriarchate) and the correct way of administrating the funds in relation with those who offer them. This accounts for building over 2000 places of worship and organizing almost 500 social centers – as well as medical consulting rooms – by the Romanian Orthodox Church during the last 20 years with funds coming in their majority from faithful. As for the other comments of the ASUR representatives, these are only unsuccessful attempts of an organized hostile attitude towards the religious cults, because the antireligious secularism and self-sufficient humanism are the characteristic features of the respective association. In conclusion, we think that especially in time of multiple crises cooperation should be promoted not confrontation between the lay state and the religious autonomous cults, for the common welfare of the society.

The Patriarch Preached In The Chapel Of “Saint Gregory The Enlightener” Of The Patriarchal Residence

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Yesterday, 25 July, the Orthodox Church spent the 9th Sunday after the Pentecost. During the Divine Liturgy, the pericope of the Gospel according to Matthew was read relating about the Saviour walking on water and calming down the storm. His Beatitude participated in the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the chapel of “Saint Gregory the Enlightener” of the Patriarchal Residence, where he delivered a sermon in which he explained the spiritual meanings resulting from the Holy Gospel read: “This Gospel shows us three different truths, namely the importance of the thanksgiving prayer to God for the good things received from Him, the fight against the trials of the life as means of strengthening in the faith and the relationship between the symbol of the ship in which the disciples were and the life of the Church on the stormy waves of history”, said His Beatitude, as “Lumina” newspaper informs us. The Patriarch of Romania explained that the Saviour retired into the mountains to pray after the wonder of multiplying the bread and fish, so that He may avoid the people’s praises on one hand, and on the other hand, to thank God, showing us in this way that the prayer is the foundation of the spiritual life. His Beatitude underlined the fact that “Christ, our Lord, often retires to pray alone, because He wants to show us that we need to fill our soul with the grace of the merciful love of God-the-Father, so that when we are in front of the crowd, we may not have our soul empty, but full of the merciful love of God for the people”. The Gospel read yesterday remembers the moment when Peter, getting the blessing of Jesus to get off the ship, started to walk on the water, but after a while, when the wind was blowing hard, he was afraid and began to sink. The Patriarch of Romania explained that: “as long as Peter was looking at Jesus, the spiritual bond with the Saviour kept him above the water; but when he started paying more heed to the ever changing storms of this world than to his relationship with God the Creator, he started to sink. The storms of this world influence the human being. So, we see that whenever we are in the storming waves of this life, we should not fear anything more than love Christ, our Lord. It is only our relationship with God in time of sorrow that can keep us above the trials, can give us courage not to sink into fear and despair. Whoever fights against the hardships of life having strong faith, and getting always the help of God, he receives power from Christ, lest he spiritually fall into fear and despair.” The Primate of our Church also said: “The ship is the symbol of the Church in the stormy sea of history. The Church is the salvation ship that takes us from one shore to another, from the temporary earthy life to the heavenly eternal life. The wonder the Saviour made shows us that the victory comes from God if we call Him to help us and say, just like Saint Peter: ‘Save us, Lord!’.