Romanian Patriarch Daniel Receives Greek Orthodox Delegation, Discusses Centennials and Strengthened Ties

Basilica News and OCP News Service – 15/06/2025

Bucharest-Romania: His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed a delegation from the Orthodox Church of Greece at the Patriarchal Residence on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The delegation included His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkis and Mr. Alexandros Katsiaras, director of the Theologia magazine of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece. (Source: Diandra David, Basilica.ro, June 12, 2025).

Patriarch Daniel greeted the guests, noting the visit’s timing during the blessed period following the Feasts of Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. He provided the historical and ecclesiastical context of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s journey to autocephaly in 1885 and its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate in 1925. His Beatitude highlighted that 2025 marks the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, a milestone being celebrated with a series of special events and activities.

In response, Metropolitan Chrysostom extended gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality. He officially invited the Romanian Patriarchate to participate in the second edition of the International Conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Theologia journal. This significant academic and ecclesiastical event is scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, from September 29 to October 1, 2025. Metropolitan Chrysostom also thanked Patriarch Daniel for delegating Archbishop Ciprian of Buzău and Vrancea, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Holbea, to the first edition of the conference in Athens in 2023.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Patriarch Daniel underscored the importance of intensifying relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Greece. He expressed the need for both Churches to collaborate further in promoting Orthodox values within contemporary society and extended his best wishes for the success of the upcoming conference in Thessaloniki.

Source: Basilica News