Message of the Patriarch of Romania addressed to the President of Italy
9/6/2012
The Message of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, addressed to the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, as a result of the earthquakes occurred in the North of Italy:
As a result of the seismic events occurred during the last few days, which tried hard an important part of the Italian territory and people, we would like to express our most sincere feelings of solidarity and compassion for the sufferance and hopes of the persons affected by this calamity.
We are convinced that Italy who celebrates the Day of the Republic these days, on 2 June, will know how to find the power to act, with that National Unity that consolidated itself throughout the centuries, for the reconstruction of the part of the country torn by the earthquake.
In fact, the Italian people proved their diligence and solidarity that have characterised them many times throughout their history. All these things made them famous all over the world, for their generosity and kindness.
The Romanian Orthodox Church and the Holy Synod are united, through faith and hope, in their attempt to express their compassion with the sufferance the victims of the earthquake feel at present. We share the sorrow caused by the human and material losses and endeavour to be close to every one of these brothers of ours, in order to support them in the fears and trials they pass through, weeping and sobbing – just like Christ, our Lord, in front of Lasarus’ grave – together with those who lost their dear ones, and pray for those who could not escape the fury of the earthquake.
Our compassion and love are focused especially on the Romanians living in Italy, especially in the parts affected by earthquake, on the Romanians who live, together with the Italian people, the drama caused by the loss of their dear ones, of their jobs or material safety so much affected.
We are confident, just like them that a stronger people will raise out of the debris, as diligent and generous as before.
We convey you our most sincere wishes and firm hope that after this trial, Italy will find again the enthusiasm and dynamism needed for building a better and safer future. We shall be close to you through our Church of Italy, through prayer and the human help needed for contributing to the huge efforts of the nation to support all the Italians and Romanians who need all the things necessary for life. We are sure that God will give power to all people, because He does never leave the poor who shouts for help, and takes the humans’ suffering over Him for whom He never hesitated to give His Saviour Son and strong hope to all the grieved humankind.
May the day of 2 June represent a day of hope and revival, so that the Italian people should rediscover the power to reconstruct a stronger and more solidary nation!
We convey to Your Excellency, Mr. President, and to all the Italian people, our fraternal salute, on behalf of all the Romanian Orthodox people and of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
