Spirituality and Culture in Caransebeş
2/5/2011
Message of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the “Days of Faith and Culture in Caraş-Severin”, 5th edition, from May 1-8, 2011:
It was with spiritual joy that we received the letter by which you informed us of the organisation of the 5th edition of the “Days of Faith and Culture in Caraş-Severin” in the Diocese of Caransebeş. It is a cultural-spiritual event occasioned by the proclamation by the Romanian Patriarchate of the year 2011 as “Homage Year of the Holy Baptism and of the Holy Wedding”, by the festive anniversary of the dedication day of the new Episcopal Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord, of Caransebeş, as well as by the commemoration of 70 years since the enthronement of the martyr bishop Veniamin Nistor on the Episcopal throne of Caransebeş (1941 – 2011).
The organisation of the international Symposium entitled “Mystery and Confession”, focused on the Holy Sacraments of the Baptism and of the Wedding”, has a missionary and social mission.
“The Days of Faith and Culture in Caraş-Severin” are going to keep alive the relation between prayer and theology, words and music, cult and culture, between the praise to God and commemoration full of piety of the worthy predecessors in the service of the Romanian faith and culture.
We notice you prepared a very diversified programme for this year, including church manifestations, as well as cultural and social aspects. We are glad because some of the events organised for the “Days of Faith and Culture of Caransebeş-Severin” have already become tradition, such as the Festival of the choruses of children and youth of “Timotei Popovici”, the Festival of poetry of “Faith and Light” in Banat’s dialect, as well the choral Festival of religious music of “Patriarch Miron”, with the participation of the parochial choruses.
The promotion of the Christian folk customs represents a nice initiative proving the high esteem felt for the Romanian creativity and spirituality, while the promotion of the church singing can revive the missionary conscience in the Church of Christ, because the mission to spread the love of God through words and deeds is a vocation of all Christians.
We are glad because all these activities are included, solemnly and holy, in the spiritual light of the great feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the atmosphere full of peace and joy of the Holy Easter.
We convey our congratulations and esteem to His Grace Lucian, Bishop of Caransebeş, as well as to all the organisers and participants in these missionary activities, wishing them all God’s help in the promotion of the genuine Christian Romanian values.
With fatherly blessing in the love of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, the Source of eternal joy,
† Daniel,
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
