His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste Lead the Enthronment Ceremony

His Eminence Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste Was Entrusted by the Holy Synod to Lead the Ceremony and Give Voice to the Historical Gramata for the sixth Patriarch of Romania.

The Gramata of the Holy Synod
To the beloved clergy and the orthodox faithful in the divinely protected Archdiocese of Bucharest and Metropolitan see of Muntenia and Dobrogea, and to all those in the patriarchate of the romanian orthodox church, to all the listeners and readers of this Gramata of the Holy Synod,
May the grace and peace of God, our heavenly Father, be with you, and receive Our hierarchical blessings

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ instituted in His Holy Church greater and lesser ministries, and, through the sending from heaven of His all-holy and life-giving Spirit in the form of tongues of fire unto His holy apostles and disciples, He gave them strength to preach the word of His Gospel, and through the laying-on of hands, in an unbroken chain from the holy apostles to this day, all servants of God’s Church and shepherds of Christ’s flock have been accounted worthy to partake of the same gifts and grace.
Speaking as their humble followers, we openly announce to all that, through the departure to the Lord of the Patriarch of happy remembrance Teoctist Arăpaşu, the See of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church has become vacant.
Subject to the provisions of article 130, paragraphs “d” and “p” from the Statute for the Organisation and Functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church, by address no. 3353/2007, the Holy Synod was summoned in an extraordinary session to designate three candidates from among the diocesan hierarchs, and by address no. 3373/2007, on the same day, 12th September 2007, the Church’s Electoral College convened to elect the Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea, and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church from among the three candidates recommended by the Holy Synod.
Consequently, after the celebration of a Te Deum service in the Patriarchal Cathedral, at 17,00, the Church’s Electoral College convened in the hall of the Palace of the Romanian Patriarchate. Here, under the presidency of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of Banat, the senior hierarch with respect to the time of his ordination to the episcopate, according to the order of the diptics, complying with the Church’s regulations, elected His Eminence Dr. Daniel Ciobotea, Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bucovina, for the vacant see of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church. He has been accounted worthy to be called to this high dignity through his persistance in confessing the true faith of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Church, his exemplary and three—fold ministry of teaching, sanctification and leadership as Christ’s hierarch, through his tireless missionary zeal, vast pastoral, social and charitable work in the service of his flock, by promoting, strengthening and renewing the ecclesial administrative work in the Archdiocese of Iaşi, by cultivating brotherly relations with the members of the Metropolitan Synod, by carrying out the responsabilities given by the Holy Synod to represent the Romanian Orthodox Church at international Church forums, inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian theological conventions, for which activities he has been awarded academic titles, through his activity as a professor of theology who has written well-appreciated theological works, hundreds of papers and articles instrumental for the education of theology students and the Romanian Orthodox clergy, by founding viable theological, cultural and charitable institutions, by proving his obedience to the Holy Synod and demonstrating respect for the laws of the country.
In accordance to article 130, paragraph “u” and article 131 paragraph “l” from the Statute for the Organisation and Functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church, We, the members of the Holy Synod, have proceeded to examine this election from a canonical perspective in our session on 12th September 2007, and having found that the election complied with all legal requirements, we validated and approved the election of His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel Ciobotea in the vacant See of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church and President of our Holy Synod.
Consequently, today, Sunday, the 30th of September 2007, having celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral, in the presence of the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the President of Romania, the representatives of state authorities, the delegations of Orthodox Churches and other world Churches and Christian organizations, of the other Churches and religions in the country, in the presence of many members of the clergy and the faithful people from the Archdiocese of Bucharest and the entire Romanian Orthodox Church,
We, Laurenţiu, Metropolitan of Ardeal, Bartolomeu, Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crişana and Maramureş, Teofan, Metropolitan of Oltenia, Nicolae, Metropolitan of Banat, Petru, Metropolitan of Basarabia, Serafim, Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Germany, Central and Northern Europe and Iosif, Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Western and Southern Europe, having celebrated the Enthronement Doxology in the Patriarchal Cathedral, hand to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, in the name of the Holy Synod, according to the traditional custom, the insignia of the patriarchal ministry: the Gramata of the Holy Synod, the patriarchal mantle, the patriarchal cross and engolpions, the white kamilavka with a cross on it, as well as the archpastoral staff, and we sit him on the patriarchal throne according to his calling and worthiness.
Seeing the love he enjoys from the clergy, faithful, monks and nuns of the Church of our Nation and the appreciation of all present here reflecting the esteem he enjoys inside the country and abroad, feeling confident that His Beatitude will continue to be an example of brotherly love, tireless work, good counsel and parental wisdom in order to be a guide to us all and an impulse to strengthen, defend and honour all the teachings of the Holy Gospel, in the spirit of the Holy Apostles, Fathers and that of peace among men and nations, we recommend His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel to all the members of the order of the presbyters and the monastic order, as well as to the Orthodox Christians in the divinely protected Archdiocese of Bucharest, Metropolitan See of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Romanian Patriarchate, urging all to respect and obey him fully as their legitimate Hierarch and our Primate, as Patriarch and President of the Holy Synod. We ourselves undertake to bow to him, and with full willingness show him respect and obedience in all circumstances, as brothers in the Lord, wishing that he may lead his flock with diligence, kindness, justice and love of the people, persevering in his unceasing work of preaching the word of God and looking always to the One Who completes and is the standard of our faith, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, To Whom is due all glory, honour and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Issued today, Sunday, the 30th of September in the year of our salvation 2007.

† Laurenţiu † Bartolomeu
Archbishop of Sibiu and
Metropolitan of Ardeal Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crişana and Maramureş
† Teofan † Nicolae
Archbishop of Craiova and Metropolitan of Oltenia Archbishop of Timişoara and
Metropolitan of Banat
† Petru † Serafim
Archbishop of Chişinău,
Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of Plaiuri Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Germany, Central and Northern Europe
† Iosif
Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Western and Southern Europe
† Teodosie † Nifon
Archbishop of Tomis Archbishop of Tвrgovişte
† Pimen † Andrei
Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuţi Archbishop of Alba Iulia
† Nicolae
Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese for the Two Americas
† Gherasim † Eftimie
Bishop of Rвmnic Bishop of Roman
† Epifanie † Calinic
Bishop of Buzău and Vrancea Bishop of Argeş and Muscel
† Ioachim † Casian
Bishop of Huşi Bishop of Dunărea de Jos
† Timotei † Lucian
Bishop of Arad, Ienopole and Hălmagiu Bishop of Caransebeş
† Sofronie † Justinian
Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese
of Oradea, Bihor and Sălaj Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureş and Sătmar
† Nicodim † Damaschin
Bishop of Severin and Strehaia Bishop of Slobozia and Călăraşi
† Ioan † Galaction
Bishop of Covasna and Harghita Bishop of Alexandria and Teleorman
† Ambrozie † Daniil
Bishop of Giurgiu Bishop-Locum Tenens (Administrator) of
the Diocese Dacia Felix
† Siluan
Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Hungary
† Vincenţiu Ploieşteanul † Ciprian Cвmpineanul
Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch
† Sebastian Ilfoveanul † Varsanufie Prahoveanul
Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest
† Calinic Botoşăneanul † Visarion Răşinăreanul
Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Iaşi Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu
† Gurie Gorjeanul † Paisie Lugojanul
Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Craiova Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Timişoara
† Irineu Bistriţeanul † Vasile Someşanul
Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad,
Feleac and Cluj
† Sofian Braşoveanul † Siluan Marsilianul
Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Germany, Central and Northern Europe Assistant Bishop to the Romanian
Orthodox Metropolitan See for Western and
Southern Europe
† Marc Nemţeanul † Ioan Casian de Vicina
Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See for Western and Southern Europe Assistant Bishop to the Romanian
Orthodox Archdiocese of the Two Americas

† Irineu Slătineanul † Ioachim Băcăuanul
Assistant Bishop to the Diocese of Rвmnic Assistant Bishop to the Diocese of Roman
† Corneliu Bвrlădeanul † Petroniu Sălăjanul
Assistant Bishop to the Diocese of Huşi Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox
Diocese of Oradea, Bihor and Sălaj
† Iustin Sigheteanul
Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureş and Sătmar

BROTHERLY COMMUNION IN THE CHURCH AND SPIRITUAL MISSION IN SOCIETY

The Speech of His Beatitude Daniel on the occasion of his enthronement as Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church– 30 September 2007 – can be found both in Romanian and English at http://www.patriarhia.ro/#b

Ath the same web page you may find the following speaches:

Message of His Excellency Traian Băsescu, President of Romania, on the occasion of the enthronment of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Romania

Note on the Enthronement of His Beatitude Daniel Ciobotea on the see of Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church

The renewal of the Church, joy and responsability” Speech on the enthroning of His Holiness Daniel, September 30, 2007. (word document) - IPS Laurenţiu Archbishop of Sibiu and Metropolitan of Transylvania

The word of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at Cotroceni Presidential Palace on the Occasion of Receiving The Star of Romania in Rank of Great Cross.

His Excellency, Traian Basescu Conffered upon His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel the Order "Star of Romania in Rank of Great Cross"

After enthronment ceremony, during the afternoon, His Beatitude was invited to Cotroceni Presidential Palace were President Basescu conffered to him a highest Order of Romania.

The Empowerment Ceremony of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania

Addresing to people and faithful

High rank politicians attended the enthronment ceremony

His Beatitude Daniel receives the Synodal Gramata

After receiving the gramata and the liturgical patriarchal signs His beatitude Daniel was enthroned

His Beatitude Daniel Receives the Liturgical Symbols of His High Pastoral Leadership

One by one the Metropolitans of the Orthodox Church entrusted to His Beatitude the signs of his Patriarchal Power

Enthronment of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania - 09/30/2007

Romanian Orthodox Church Enthroned His Beatitude Daniel, the New Patriarch of Romania

The ceremony was lead by Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste and begun at 8:30 with the Holy Liturgy and than after the enthronment continued with Te Deum.

More thant 30 foreign delagations attendend the enthronement. Archpriests, Deans from the Romanian Orthodox Church, Theologians and students in theology, but also delegates from all Christian Orthodox countries and from other Christian denominations attended the ceremony.

President Traian Basescu, former Presidents Ion Iliescu and Emil Constantinescu and the former King Michael together with members of the Royal Family of Romania were present. Representatives from Political parties in Romania took part in the event.

During the ceremony, the new patriarch were given the liturgical symbols, the Patriarchal Rod, the Garment, the Engolpions, all symbols of his authority, and the white headdress.

A solemn session of the enthronement took place in the Administrative Palace of the Patriarchate. Delegates from the Apostolic Churches beginning with the throne of Constantinople and ending with the word of Pope Benedict the XVI represented by Cardinal Kasper addressed congratulations and words of hope in improved cooperation, continuation and renewal of dialogue between the Romanian Orthodox Church and other Orhtodox Churches and Confessions from all over the world.

Symbolic gifts of recognition, unity in prayer and work have been presented to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel: A Patriarchal Rod from Ecumenical Patriarchate, a Holy Calist from Vatican, Icons meaningful to the new position and theological, lithurgical and social responsabilities of His Beatitude Daniel and croses with patriarchal engolpions from other Orthodox Delagations as for example from His Eminence, Alexey II, Patriarch of Moskow and All Russia.

At 16:30 His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will be welcomed by Traian Basescu at Cotroceni Palace who will confere upon the new Patriarch the national order "Star of Romania in rank of Great Cross"

WORD TO THE READERS OF THIS BLOG

DEAR READERS, I WOULD LIKE TO APPOLOGISE FOR NOT KEEPING YOU UPTODATE AFTER 9 SEPTEMBER UNTIL TODAY, 26 SEPTEMBER. I WAS IN HOLYDAYS AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR :)

THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT DURING THIS PERIOD WAS INDEED THE ELECTION OF HIS EMINENCE DANIEL, AS PATRIARCH OF ROMANIA.

HE IS INDEED THE MOST PROMINENT HIERACH AMONG CHURCH LEADERS OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE RESULTS OF HIS PASTORAL ACTIVITIES AS METROPOLITAN OF MOLDOVA AND BUCOVINA ARE RELEVANT FOR THE RENEVAL OF THE THEOLOGICAL, PASTORAL AND THE CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL MISSION OF THE TODAY'S ROMANIA.

MAY THE BLESSING OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST, SHINE UPON HIS WORKS!

MAY GOD KEEP HIM IN GOOD HEALTH AND STRENGTH FOR HIS HOLY WORK!

Religious Freedom in Romania as Scanned and viewed by US

Romania
International Religious Freedom Report 2007
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

English Version, You may read it at:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90195.htm

Versiunea Romana poate fi citita la http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/US_Policy/2007_IRF_Ro.html

The document was released on September 14, 2007

We are going to comment it later on.

New Approach and Hopes in Ecumenical Dialogue Between Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Church in Romania

The Romanian Greek - Catholic Church and the Romanian Orthodox Church - Sister Churches!

Sibiu EEA September 2007

“May they all be one, just as,Father, you are in me and I am in you,so that they also may be in us,so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.”( John 17,21)

Your Excellencies,Dear brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord,

Some weeks ago I read two italian articles in two famous magazines where the relations between the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church and the Romanian Orthodox Church were presented as a serious difficulty before the EEA of Sibiu.These articles put an interesting question: How could we organize an important ecumenical meeting in a country where two important Churches have a difficult dialogue? This hearing tries to speak about the real difficulties but also about the signs of hope in the dialogue of these two Romanian Churches.

1. Common liturgical heritage and history
Both Churches belong to the Byzantine liturgical tradition, the main difference we have is in the problem of jurisdiction. The Romanians arrived in the second millennium to have the communion with Constantinople and only in the XVIIth century an important community of Romanians from Transylvania reestablished the communion with Rome. So in the last 3 centuries we could speak about two byzantine Romanian Churches: one in communion with Rome (The Romanian Greek-Catholic Church) and one in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchy and with the other Orthodox Churches.

During the XVIIIth and XIXth century both Churches tried to defend the Romanian identity in the territories under Habsburg rule, the interests of the Romanian nation being more important than the confessional differences.

After 1918 Transylvania united with the Romanian Kingdom and the Greek-Catholics were the second Church after the Orthodox one as importance, number of faithful and had also the title of “National Church” in the Constitution of 1923 together with its Orthodox Sister.

In 1948 the Romanian communists didn’t accept anymore the existence of the RGCC and for 41 years this Church of almost 2 million faithful was persecuted, all the bishops being in prison, very many priests and religious men and women in prison and its goods divided between the state and the ROC with the decree 358/1948(abrogated today).During all this period of time the Greek-Catholics lived in an “underground Church” but continued to exist even if the persecution was especially in the first 15 years very powerful.

2. The period of the difficult dialogue (1989-1998)

After the fall of the communism the RGCC was officially recognized again by the state and all the five Eparchies had bishops appointed by the Pope John Paul II. The goods of this Church were in their majority still in the possession of the ROC and the state gave the Law 126/1990 in which the problem had to be solved with a dialogue between the two Churches. The meetings of Metropolitan (future Cardinal) Alexandru Todea with the new Romanian Authorities didn’t solve the question of goods and the ROC asked for a so called “referendum” of the faithful in order to see if the faithful agreed with the restitution of goods to the Greek-Catholics.

In 1993 the Statement of Balamand underlined at point 3: ” Concerning the Eastern Catholic Churches, it is clear that they, as part of the Catholic Communion, have the right to exist and to act in response to the spiritual needs of their faithful .”Also at point 12 the Statement said: “…Catholics and Orthodox once again consider each other in relationship to the mystery of the Church and discover each other once again as Sister Churches…”. The term “Sister Churches” used before by Pope Paul VIth and by Patriarch Athenaguras is used again by Balamand Statement and even in nour days documents the Orthodox Churches are considered Sister Churches of the local Catholic Churches, which is the case for the RGCC and ROC. The Eastern Catholic Churches are seeing not only by OE and UR as important for the ecumenical dialogue but the Statement of Balamand said at point 21 that “the authorities of the Catholic Church will assist the Eastern Catholic Churches and their communities so that they themselves may prepare full communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.”. At point 24 the Balamand Statement underlined the religious freedom of the faithful who must have the liberty to choose between Catholic and Orthodox Churches. At point 26 we see the responsibilities of the bishops and clergy of both Churches for joint local commissions for finding solutions ” to concrete problems and seeing that these solutions are applied in truth and love, in justice and peace”. Point 31 of the Statement recalled the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1Corinthiams 6,17) and asked for fraternal dialogue in the question of the possession and return of ecclesiastical property. Both Catholics and Orthodox must express their gratitude to the confessors of the faith that “call us to unity”(BS 33).

In May 1996 a delegation of the ROC and a delegation of the RGCC had an unofficial meeting at “Pro Oriente” Foundation in the Austrian capital followed by an Appeal to reconciliation made by the Holy Senate of ROC in 1997 and a Statement made by the Greek-Catholic Metropolitan in 1998.

3. The mixed dialogue commisions (1998-2004)

On the 28th of October 1998 there was the first meeting of the mixed dialogue commission between the two Churches which established the principles of the dialogue. The meeting took place at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest and a new hope appeared in the relations between ROC and RGCC.

On the 28th January 1999 the mixed commission met at the Metropolitan Greek-Catholic Castle in Blaj and the RGCC asked for the Cathedrals of Baia Mare and Oradea and for the churches in the places where the ROC has its own Church. The ROC accepted that the 100 churches that in the last 10 years were regained by the Greek-Catholics should not be asked again by the ROC. Local commissions were asked and both churches bishops spoke about the future visit of the Pope John Paul II in Bucharest.

The 3rd meeting of the commission took place in the Orthodox Monastery in Ramet one month after the historic visit of the Holy father in Bucharest, John Paul II and Patriarch speaking both about the hopes for the mixed commission. The ROC bishops spoke about the need of new churches and expressed reserves concerning alternative services. There was a list with the main important Churches that were requested by the Greek-Catholics.

The 4th meeting took place in Oradea at the Greek-Catholic Major Seminar and the RGCC bishops asked again for the Cathedrals, for the protopresbyteral churches and for the churches in the towns/ villages where the ROC had its own churches and also alternatives services were there was only one Church. The ROC bishops didn’t accept the requests speaking about the desire of faithful.

The 5th meeting took place at the Orthodox Monastery of Sambata de Sus and both Churches recognized a better relation between them, asking again for local commissions and for the building of new churches.

The 6th meeting took place at the Greek-Catholic bishopric Palace in Lugoj with the participation of the Orthodox Metropolitan Nicolae of Banat, Metropolitan who gave back almost all the churches to the Greek-Catholics in the Timish County. For the first time the ROC and the RGCC bishops spoke about social and cultural dialogues and activities organized by them.

The 7th meeting took place at Arad. The RGCC bishops speaking again about the naturall right to go to civil courts if the situation will not improve in some parts of the country. Both parts spoke about some particular cases as St. Basil Church in Bucharest or the Cathedrals of Oradea and Baia Mare. The RGCC bishops asked the ROC to recognize the decisions of the civil courts concerning property. The ROC bishops spoke again about the desires of the faithful.

The 8th meeting took place in Baia Mare but the positions of the two Churches didn’t change.
In June 2004 the Holy Synod of the ROC asked the RGCC to choose the mixed commission and the civil trials. After that unfortunately the mixed commission didn’t meet anymore.
Even today we have more than 2000 churches which are not given back and there are different civil trials between the two Churches. Some ex-Greek-Catholic churches were demolished but not given back (Vadu Izei -MM,Badon-Sj).

4. After the mixed commisions (2004-now)

In June 2005 Law 182 modified partially the Law 126/1990 and different trials were opened to solve the question of goods between the two Churches.
In the Timis and Caras Counties there is a real dialogue between ROC and RGCC and different churches were given back, sign that the local commission can have results if there is love and justice.

Unfortunately in the other regions the dialogue is not very easy on this issue even if the example was followed in Oradea where the Cathedral was given back without a trial.

5. Hopes for the future

The ROC is an important period of its history and in few days it will have a new Patriarch, which surely will want to develop the ecumenical dialogue with the Catholic Church and in particular will surely try to arrive at a better dialogue with the RGCC and find real solutions for the problem of goods.

The RGCC became a Major Archbishopric Church and will continue the dialogue with its Sister Church not only on the question of goods but on possible common activities concerning the defense of life and of Christian values in the Romanian Society.

In the last years there are more and more common events and we can see a clear decision of both ROC and RGCC to discover again their common roots and to respect their differences.
The Servant of God John Paul II will protect both Churches in the common way to unity, to Christ the Lord.Fr. Drd. Coriolan C. MuresanJudicial Vicar of the Eparchy of LugojSecretary of the Ecumenical Commission of The RGCC

RENEWED COMMITTMENT AND EXPECTATIONS: Churches urged to support migrant and other vulnerable minorities

Posted by: "Roma Virtual Network" romale@zahav.net.il valery_novoselsky
Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:13 am (PST)
Churches urged to support migrant and other vulnerable minority communities Ekklesia.co.uk

Delegates at the Third European Ecumenical Assembly meeting in Sibiu, Romania, concluded their weeklong gathering on 9 September 2007 with a call to the churches of Europe to deepen their support for migrants and other victimised minority groups.In a four-page Assembly Message citing 10 recommendations for the future, delegates from Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Free Church traditions urged the continent's churches to focus that care on to the Roma people in particular and to make efforts to "offer better pastoral care for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees".Acknowledging the continuing quest for Christian unity in Europe, the assembly recommended that churches renew their common mission "to proclaim Christ as the Light and the Saviour of the world".

It also encouraged churches to continue dialoguing towards a "mutual recognition of baptism", create more opportunities for common prayer, pilgrimages, theological education and study in support of Christian values, and that churches work towards "the full participation of the whole people of God", including "young people, the elderly, ethnic minorities and disabled people."The assembly reaffirmed the Charta Oecumenica, a set of guidelines agreed in Europe for Christian interaction and cooperation, calling it a "stimulating" resource "for our ecumenical journey in Europe".The assembly exhorted European churches and European institutions to be courageous in addressing the needs of the whole world, while the Message recommended support for the UN's Millennium Development Goals and the creation of a new "consultative process" among church organisations on the European role in addressing ecological justice, human rights and other issues of globalisation.It also recommended the backing of initiatives for debt cancellation and fair trade.

The Third European Ecumenical Assembly - follwing similar events in Basel1989 and Graz 1997 - concluded with a new consensus to set aside the period between 1 September and 4 October on an annual basis to pray for the protection of creation and "the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change".

H.E. DANIEL, Archbishop of Iassy Metropolitan of Moldova was elected Patriarch of Romania on 12 September

H.E. Dr. DANIEL CIOBOTEA
Archbishop of Iassy,
Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina
Locum tenens for Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Romania
Bibliographical profile

Biography :

His Eminence Dr. Daniel Ciobotea, Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina, is born on the 22nd of July 1951, in Dobreşti-Bara, Department of Timiş, the third child in the family of the teacher Alexie and Stela Ciobotea.

He studied the primary school in the native village (1958-1962), Dobreşti, the secondary school in Lăpuşnic (1962-1966),, Department of Timiş. In 1966, he started the high school in the town of Buziaş and then in the town of Lugoj, at the „Coriolan Brediceanu” High School (1967-1970).

After the school leaving examination, he follows the courses of the Universitary Institute of Theology – Sibiu (1970-1974), where graduates with a thesis in New Testament.

During 1974-1976, he follows the doctorate courses at the Universitary Institute of Theology in Bucharest, at the Systematic Section, under the guidance of Rev. Professor Dr. Dumitru Stăniloae. He continues the studies abroad: two years at the Faculty of Protestant Theology – University of Human Sciences in Strasbourg (France) and two years at the „Albert Ludwig” University - Freiburg im Breisgau, the Faculty of Catholic Theology (Germany).

At the 15th of June 1979 he defends the doctoral thesis at the University of Strasbourg, called: Réflexion et vie chrétiennes aujourd'hui. Essai sur le rapport entre la théologie et la spiritualité (VII ^ 424 p.). The thesis was prepared under the guidance of two famous French professors: Gerard Ziegwald şi André Benoît and received the maximum mark. He became Doctor of the University of Strasbourg.

Am extended version of this thesis was prepared under the guidance of his mentor, Rev. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Stăniloae, and was defended at the 31st of October 1980 at the Universitary Institute of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, entitled: Theology and Christian Spirituality. The connection between them and the present situation.

After the presentation of the thesis, the Doctor candidate Dan Ilie Ciobotea was declared Doctor in Orthodox Theology, also with maximum mark. Rev. Prof. Dr. D. Stăniloae declared then: “The examination proved to the Commission of examination that has a well prepared candidate, informed and willing to live a theological life of spiritual deepness”. We need this kind of persons, persons that live the teaching of our Church. The true spirituality of the priest of today is this: to live in such a way that he could respond to the questions of the human person of today, but to remain a true priest. With a priesthood without theological culture and without the living of the dignity and sublime mission of priesthood, the faithful people will estrange from the Church”.

In 1987, he enters in the monastic life at the Sihastria Monastery, Department of Neamţ, with the name Daniel, under the guidance of Pious Father Cleopa Ilie.

Jobs and Memberships:

· 1980-1988 – Lector at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Geneva (Switzerland) and associate professor in Geneva and Fribourg (Switzerland)
· 1988 – Councillor of Patriarchate, Director of “Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue” Sector
· 1988 – Professor of Christian Mission at the Universitary Institute of Theology - Bucharest
· 1990 (March) – Elected and ordained Bishop Vicar of the Archdiocese of Timişoara
· 1990 (June) – Elected Archbishop of Iassy and Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina
· From 1992 – Professor of Theology at the Orthodox Theological Faculty „Dumitru Stăniloae” in the „Al. I. Cuza” University – Iassy
· President of the Synod National Commission for Religious Education (Bucharest)
· President of the Theological and Liturgical Commission of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Romania
· Honorary member of the National Commission of Historical Monuments (Bucharest)
· Member of the Executive and Central Comity of the World Council of Churches(Geneva, 1991-1998)
· Member in the Presidium and in the Central Comity of the Conference of European Churches (from 1990)
· Vice President of the II-nd General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (Graz, 1997)
· Member of the International Academy of Religious Sciences (Bruxelles) (from 2000)

Distictions and titles:

· The Order “Faithful Service” (Great Cross) accorded by the President of Romania, Emil Constantinescu, Bucharest, 2000
· The Prize “Pro Humanitate” accorded by the European Foundation for Culture “Pro Europa” (Freiburg im Breisgau), Berlin, Germany, 2002
· Doctor Honoris Causa of the „Sacred Heart” Catholic University, Fairfield, Connecticut – U.S.A., 2003
· Honorary Senator of “Lower Danube” University, Galaţi, 2003
· Doctor Honoris Causa of the „George Enescu” Art University - Iassy – 14th of January 2006

Educational and cultural activities:

I) Founder of Institutions:

· The „Dumitru Stăniloae” Orthodox Theological Faculty (reactivated), Iassy - 1990
· The “Saint Pious Paraskeve” Orthodox Theological Seminary, Agapia - 1991
· „St. Gheorghe” Orthodox Theological Seminary, Botoşani - 1992
· “St. Ioan Iacob” Orthodox Theological Seminary Dorohoi - 1993
· Theological Sanitary School, Piatra Neamţ - 1993
· The Orthodox Academy „St. Ioan of Neamţ”, Neamţ Monastery - 1993
· “Saint Pious Paraskeve” Theological Sanitary School, Iaşi - 1994
· “T.A.B.O.R.” Metropolitan Centre of Researches - 1994
· “Saint Daniel the Hermit” Cultural Pastoral Centre, Durău - 1995
· „Dumitru Staniloae” Ecumenical Library, Iaşi - 1995
· “Saint Basil the Great” Orthodox Theological Seminary, Iaşi - 1995
· “Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen” Orthodox Theological Seminary, Piatra Neamţ - 1996
· Ecumenical and Social-Pastoral Institute „Sf. Nicholas”, Iaşi - 1997
· The Cultural-Missionary TRINITAS (Trinitas Publishing House, Printing House and Radio), Iaşi - 1997
· The Centre for Conservation and Restoration of the religious Patrimony „Resurrectio” – 1998
· The Press Trust „Lumina” (The Light) - 2007
· TRINITAS TV (broadcasting trust), Iaşi - 2007

II) Founder of publications:

· „Vestitorul Ortodoxiei” (The Herald of Orthodoxy), periodical of Church information, theology and spirituality of the Patriarchate of Romania (1990)
· „Candela Moldovei” (The Lamp of Moldavia), the official bulletin of the Metropolitanate of Moldavia and Bukovina
· „Teologie şi Viaţă” (Theology and Life), journal of thinking and spirituality (Iaşi, 1992)
· „Lumina” (The Light), the first Christian daily journal in Romania

III) Organiser of 27 de symposia, colloquia, congresses and expositions.

IV) Initiator, supporter and coordinator of 14 social, cultural and educative programs.

SOCIAL-CHARITY ACTIVITIES:

Founder of institutions and active supporter:
· „St. Pantelimon” Stomatological Cabinet, Iaşi - 1993
· The Physicians and Pharmacists Orthodox Association of Romania, Iaşi - 1993
· The „Diaconia” Social-Charity Department, Iaşi - 1994
· Canteens for poor people in Iaşi, Paşcani, Dorohoi, Hârlău - 1993-1995
· „St. Ap. Peter şi Paul” Policlinical Dispensary, Iaşi - 1998
· „Providenţa” Diagnose and Treatment Center, Iaşi - 2000
· „Solidaritate şi Speranţă” (Solidarity and Hope) Foundation, Iaşi - 2002
· „Providenţa II” Centre for education and medical information, Iaşi - 2002
· „Diaconia” Social Charity Institute, Iaşi - 2003
· „St. Paisie of Neamţ” Social-Cultural Centre, Neamţ Monastery - 2004
· Social-Cultural Centre „Sf. Ilie”, Miclăuşeni Monastery, 2005

LITURGICAL AND MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES:

I. The bringing of the relics of saints in Iassy and in the underling dioceses of the Metropolitanate of Moldavia and Bukovina:

· 1992 – a fragment from the wood of the Holy Cross preserved at the Xiropotamu Monastery, Mount Athos – Greece
· 1996 – the relics of Saint Apostle Andrew, from Patras – Greece
· 2000 – the relics of Saint Great Martyr George from Livadia – Greece
–the relics of Saint Hierarch Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian from Bucharest
· 2001 – The Girdle of the Holy Virgin from Volos – Greece
· 2002 – the relics of Saint John Casian from Marseille– France
· 2003 – the relics of Saint Dimitrios, the Myrrh Bearer, from Salonic – Greece
· 2004 – fragment from the wood of the Holy Cross preserved in the Panaghia Soumela Monastery, Veria – Greece
· 2005 – the relics of the Saint Apostle Paul from Veria – Greece
· 2006 – the relics of Saint Nectarios from Eghina – Greece

II) He founded over 300 parishes, 40 monasteries and sketes, 5 Protopopiates (Iaşi I, Darabani, Săveni, Roznov and Ceahlău) and he initiated and supported the building of over 250 new churches.

III) He organised 15 anniversaries commemorations and proclamations for canonising saints in the Metropolitanate of Moldavia and Bukovina

IV) He participated at 116 symposia, congresses, conferences, colloquia or national and international assemblies.

SCIENTIFICAL AND PUBLICATIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Books:

A. Published:

· „Atât de mult a iubit Dumnezeu lumea...”. 12 Scrisori pastorale de Crăciun şi Paşti, (“So God loved the world” 12 pastoral letters for Christmas and Easter) Iaşi, Trinitas, 1996, 97 p.
· Confessing the Truth in Love: Orthodox Perceptions on Life, Mission and Unity, Iaşi, Trinitas, 2001, 258 p.
· Făclii de Înviere – Înţelesuri ale Sfintelor Paşti (Lights for Resurrection, Meanings of Easter), Iaşi, Trinitas, 2005, 183 p.
· Dăruire şi dăinuire. Raze şi chipuri de lumină din istoria şi spiritualitatea românilor (Self-giving and enduring, Light Beams and faces in the history and spirituality of Romanian people), Iaşi, Trinitas, 2005, 439 p.
· Daruri de Crăciun – înţelesuri ale sărbătorii Naşterii Domnului (Gifts for Christmas, meanings of the feast of Nativity), Iaşi, Trinitas, 2005, 138 p.
· Brâncuşi. Sculptor creştin ortodox (Brancusi – Christian Orthodox sculptor), Iaşi, Trinitas, 2007, 88 p.

B. Prepared for publication at Trinitas Publishing House:

· Ştiinţa mântuirii - Studii de teologie socială şi misionară (The Science of salvation – researches of social and missionary theology), 350 pages);
· Comori ale Ortodoxiei Studii de spiritualitate ortodoxă (Treasures of Orthodoxy, Researches in the Orthodox Spirituality), 420 pages);
· Teologie şi Spiritualitate (Theology and Spirituality) (doctoral thesis, 372 pages);
· Păstorul Cel Bun - Cateheze şi omilii, The Good Shepherd – Catecheses and Homilies 450 pages);
· Foame şi sete după Dumnezeu - înţelesul şi folosul postului (Hunger and thirst for God – the meaning and the use of fasting, catecheses, 220 pages);
· Fais l’oeuvre de l’Evangeliste (Articles of Orthodox Spirituality and Christian mission in French 215 pages).

II) Translations:

· Stăniloae Dumitru – Le génie de l’Orthodoxie. Introduction, Edit. Desclée de Brouwer, Paris, 1985, col. Théophanie.

III) Other publications:

· 49 booklets;
· 876 articles, researches, presentations, introductions in Romanian language;
· 45 articles and researches written in French language;
· 36 articles and researches written in English language;
· articles and researches written in German language;
· 14 articles and researches written in other languages.

Roman Catholic Charity Attaked for Hosting Rroma People

In Italy, Pavia, citizens attacked a Roman-Catholic Church charity for hosting Rroma. During last months many Rroma were attacked just for being in Italy. The worst crime was when a band of teenagers burn to death a camp of Rroma/Sinti and children died in fire. Yet, only few journalists dear to say those criminals are fascists.

Now we have a new fact: Attack on Church for hosting Rroma. Those people were taken in care by the Church, were not dirty, they made no trouble and although living in simplicity as everywhere in Church Charities they were not welcomed.

Let me underline, that the Rroma/Sinti were not attacked this time BUT THE CHURCH.
Why? For daring to host Rroma/Sinti. This is indeed a warning message to the Churches in Europe. The attackers, through this action are warning the Churches not to work for Rroma/Sinti as they will suffer consequences.

It is well known that at their own initiative or under the umbrella of the Conference of European Churches all Churches in Europe have helped Rroma or Non-Roma NGOs to work for alleviating the situation of Roma/Sinti.

European authorities must act now.

3rd ECUMENICAL EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY SIBIU, ROMANIA, 2007

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Welcomed in Sibiu

3rd ECUMENICAL EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY SIBIU, ROMANIA

Common Prayer and President of Romania Traian Basescu addressing the Assembly

3rd European Ecumenical Assembly, Sibiu, Romania

A special Cross of Lights was blessed by representatives of seven Christian confessions from Romania

3rd Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu, Romania

His All Holiness addressed the people and people give impressions to the media. Metropolitan Daniel Interim Patriarch of Romania spoke about the common testiminy to be given to the world by all Christians

3rd Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu Romania

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, President of Romania addresed to the assembly and the media

The Third European Ecumenical Assembly Begun in Sibiu Romania

The event is hosted by Romania in the Transylvanian city of Sibiu.

The topics chalanged by more than 2500 official delagates from EUropean Churhces but not only are strucutred in nine Forums:
Forum 1: Unity
Forum 2: Spirituality
Forum 3: Witness
Forum 4: Europe
Forum 5: Religions
Forum 6: Migration
Forum 7: Creation
Forum 8: Justice
Forum 9: Peace

There will be the big challenges towards European policy.

Among the Churhc VIPs we notice the Vatican representative, Cardinal Walter Kasper, Russian Orthodox Church representative, Kirill, bishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad; President of the Foreign Affairs department of the Russian Patriarchy, The melkite Patriarch Gregorios III.

The event will be attended by high European officials including Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the Parliamentary Reunion of the Council of Europe, Rene van der Linden and Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis.

The event is the third of the kind. The first European Ecumenical Assembly took place in 1989 at Bassel, Switzerland and the second, in 1997 at Gratz, Austria.