Duminica Ortodoxiei la Catedrala Patriarhală
The Sunday of Orthodoxy, celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral

Summary/Abstract: On the first Sunday of Lent – the Sunday of Orthodoxy, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, officiated the Holy Liturgy of the Holy Hierarch Basil the Great, in the Patriarchal Cathedral, alongside Their Graces Varlaam Ploieşteanul and Timotei Prahoveanul, Vicar Bishops to the Patriarch. Ektenias, litanies and thanksgiving prayers were offered to God for the blessings bestowed upon His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, on his 31st anniversary of his ordination as bishop. In accordance with the Orthodox tradition, the Holy Liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy was preceded by a procession of clergy members carrying holy icons, from the Patriarchal Residence on the Hill of Joy. In his sermon, delivered after the Holy Gospel reading (pericope John 1, 43-51), the Head of our Church stated that the Sunday of Orthodoxy, or the Sunday dedicated to the right worshipping, was instituted on March 11, 843, at Constantinople, because on March 10 of the same year, a council was held in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire (convened by empress Theodora and Patriarch Methodius of Constantinople). This council reasserted, endorsed and confirmed everything that had been proclaimed and formulated as tenets of the right worshipping by the seven Ecumenical Councils. His Beatitude reminded that the Sunday of Orthodoxy confessed the right worshipping and rejected all heresies or deviations up to the year 843, also strongly asserting the veneration of the holy icons, as decided and proclaimed by the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 AD. At the end of the religious service, His Grace Varlaam Ploieșteanul, Vicar Bishop to the Patriarch and secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, presented the volume entitled „Prayer and charitable solidarity in times of pandemic. The work conducted by Church in society during the year 2020”, published this year by Basilica Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate. This volume, containing eight chapters, illustrates by means of words and pictures the rich and fruitful missionary activity, promoting cultural and social values, and human dignity, carried out by our Church and by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel over 2020, proclaimed by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church as „Solemn year dedicated to pastoral care for youth and children” and „Commemorative year of Orthodox philanthropists”. His Grace Varlaam Ploieşteanul also delivered a congratulatory address for the 31st anniversary of the ordination as bishop of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. In his turn, Patriarch Daniel thanked His Grace Varlaam Ploieşteanul for his substantial presentation of the volume „Prayer and charitable solidarity in times of pandemic. The work conducted by Church in society during the year 2020”, and also thanked all those in attendance.

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