The First Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Spain

Hundreds of Romanians attend religious service marking foundation of first Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Spain

19/4/2010

The foundation brick of the first Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Spain was laid on Sunday, the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) Patriarch Daniel along with a group of priests and deacons officiating the consecration service marking the event happening at the land plot the Madrid mayoralty granted for the building of the cathedral.

Also attending was the head of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid region Esperanza Aguirre, the local advisor for jobs, women and immigration Paloma Andrados, Romania’s Ambassador in Madrid Maria Ligor, the State Secretary for Relations with Romanians Everywhere Eugen Tomac, along with hundreds of Romanians living in Spain.

‘A Romanian Orthodox worship place in Spain is a token of our national identity and our European openness, of the diversity of the tradition and the communion of faith,’ Patriarch Daniel emphasized. State Secretary Tomac read the Romanians attending the ceremony, President Traian Basescu’s address on this special occasion.
According to Romania’s President, the hope, which this Romanian Orthodox Cathedral represents, will be fulfilled as the symbol of the Romanians’ dignified and creative presence in Europe.

Romania’s Premier Emil Boc also conveyed a message to the Romanians living in Spain, pointing out that the event will significantly contribute to the strengthening of the Romanian communities in Spain and this first step made together, is a good opportunity to emphasize that it is through the Romanian spirituality, culture and traditions that we succeed to preserve our identity and transmit the love for our homeland to the coming generations.

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