Enthronement of His Eminence Irineu as Archbishop of Alba Iulia

5/6/2011

To end with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Archiepiscopal Cathedral of Alba Iulia on, 5 June 2011, His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures enthroned the new Archbishop of Alba Iulia, His Eminence Irineu Pop, in the presence of the Patriarch of Romania and of a large group of hierarchs, members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Many officials, as well as hundreds of faithful were also present at the event.

The Patriarch of Romania congratulated the new Archbishop of Alba Iulia and offered him the Patriarchal cross, Patriarchal encolpion, the hierarchic walking staff, the dicheros and tricheros as presents, as well as a blessing cross.

The Metropolitan Gramata was read by His Grace Justin Sigheteanul, Assistant Hierarch to the Diocese of Maramures and Satmar. Then, His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures offered His Eminence Irineu the insignia of his dignity: the cloak, cross and encolpion, as well as the kamelaykion, and the walking staff, and enthroned him Archbishop of Alba Iulia.

Further on, the administrative counsellor of the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia read, on behalf of the clergy, the welcome speech addressed to His Eminence Irineu. There followed the message of His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures. Mr. Adrian Lemeni, state secretary for religious affairs read the message of Mr. Emil Boc, Prime minister of Romania.

The new Archbishop of Alba Iulia, His Eminence Irineu delivered a speech in which he brought glory to the Holy Trinity and thanked His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

After the enthronement ceremony, His Eminence Andrei, Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, and Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures introduced His Eminence Irineu to the faithful outside the place of worship, on the steps of the Cathedral, having beside him the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the hierarchs present at the event today. His Eminence Irineu took turns in addressing a speech to those present outside the Cathedral and blessed them.

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