Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Bucharest, praises Romania’s deep Orthodox faith ahead of Cathedral Consecration
Shortly after landing at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport on Friday afternoon, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a moving address expressing deep joy and gratitude for his return to Romania.
Speaking in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and state officials, the Ecumenical Patriarch described his visit as a moment of “spiritual celebration and brotherly communion” between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Romanian Patriarchate.
The Ecumenical Patriarch’s arrival marks the beginning of a historic visit dedicated to the Consecration of the National Cathedral’s mosaic icons, which will take place on Sunday, October 26, as part of the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate and the 140th anniversary of the Romanian Church’s Autocephaly.
In his remarks, Patriarch Bartholomew expressed admiration for the spiritual vitality and faith of the Romanian people, calling Romania “a land filled with saints and devout ascetic traditions, unique in the Orthodox world.”
He praised the Romanian Orthodox Church for its perseverance during the communist era and for its enduring theological and cultural contributions to global Orthodoxy.
The Ecumenical Patriarch also recalled his 2018 visit to Bucharest, when he and Patriarch Daniel consecrated the Altar of the National Cathedral, describing the upcoming consecration of its interior iconography as a “continuation of divine grace” and a testament to the Romanian people’s faith, unity, and devotion to God.
Concluding his message, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I offered heartfelt thanks to Patriarch Daniel and to the Romanian Orthodox Church for their hospitality and faithfulness, expressing confidence that “the days ahead will be filled with joy, thanksgiving, and the embrace of brotherly love that glorifies the Triune God.”
Message of His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew upon His Arrival in Romania
Beloved brothers and children in the Lord,
All glory, honour, and worship are due to God — the Father of lights, the Son, who is the Word and Wisdom, and the Holy Spirit, the All-Holy, Good, and Life-Giving One — who has deemed us worthy to arrive safely and peacefully on the devout and tranquil land of Romania.
We come with hearts full of joy and with the love of the Mother Church of Constantinople, to take part in the celebration of 140 years since the granting of the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Romanian Orthodox Church, and 100 years since its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
This fraternal invitation from our beloved Brother in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, a distinguished hierarch, theologian, scholar, and a remarkable spiritual figure of our times, is indeed most welcome.
We were deeply honoured to stand beside His Beatitude seven years ago, at the Consecration of the Holy Altar of the National Cathedral in Bucharest — the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral. And now, we must again be together with His Beatitude, in brotherly love and solidarity, to celebrate the Consecration of the Cathedral’s mosaic iconography — this majestic House of God dedicated to the noble Romanian people and to their profound spiritual and cultural traditions.
The impressive and awe-inspiring dimensions of this Cathedral bear witness to the significance and grandeur of these celebrations, which honour the self-determination and dignity of the Romanian Patriarchate. For the Patriarchal status of the Romanian Orthodox Church is fully consistent with its Autocephaly. Both reflect the noble aspirations of the Romanian people and their steadfast devotion to the holy Orthodox faith, which — even in the darkest hours — was never abandoned by the faithful people of this spiritually rich and fruitful land.
Romania is filled with saints and devout ascetic traditions, unique in the Orthodox world. The Romanian Orthodox Church has a deep history that stretches back to the third century, and it is a source of Martyrs, Ascetics, and Saints — men and women of God — as attested by the recent canonisation by the Mother Church of Constantinople of four Romanian Athonite saints. The theological richness of this Church is recognised throughout the world, and its struggle to preserve the faith during the communist regime has become widely known.
Therefore, with great anticipation for the days of joy that lie ahead, and as a sign of the enduring bonds between Constantinople and Bucharest, we warmly and respectfully embrace this Church, its distinguished Patriarch, and the noble Romanian people — acknowledging their marvellous works that glorify our Triune God.
Praising their faithfulness, perseverance, and sincerity, we give thanks to Almighty God for the extraordinary days of our visit among you.
Thank you, and may God bless Romania!
Bartholomew I
Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
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