The day of January 24, 1859 represents for the Romanian people a historical moment to which the Romanian Orthodox Church made its contribution through its hierarchs and clergy, the Vicar Patriarchal Bishop Paisie Sinaitul said on Wednesday, urging to preserve the consciousness of unity, freedom and national dignity.

"The Union of the Romanian Principalities generated a single ruler, a single capital, in Bucharest, a single government, under the leadership of Barbu Catargiu and a single Legislative Assembly. The day of January 24, 1859 represents a moment of great importance for the Romanian people, a historical moment to which, in consensus with the entire people, the Romanian Orthodox Church made its significant contribution through its hierarchs and clergy," said PS Paisie, in the speech at the end of the Te Deum service, celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral, together with a council of deacons.

The hierarch highlighted the "unseen dimension of God's grace and help" received through the prayers said in the Metropolitan Cathedral on the Hill of Joy.

"The solemn commemoration and evocation of the personalities who sacrificed themselves, who gave themselves with all their souls and with great devotion to the cause of the Union of the Romanian Principalities of 1859 is, therefore, a duty of us, of those of today, who are called to cultivate and pass on to future generations this awareness of preserving and valorizing our unity, freedom and national dignity," the vicar bishop also said.

At the Patriarchal Cathedral, the Holy Liturgy was celebrated with the mention of ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, metropolitans Nifon of Romania and Sofronie Miclescu of Moldavia, as well as all those who contributed to the realization of the Union of Romanian Principalities.

Afterwards, the Te Deum was performed, as thanks for the achievement of this fundamental act in national history.

Prior to the Te Deum service, at the statue of Alexandru Ioan Cuza on the Patriarchate Hill, a memorial service was held for the founders of the Union of Principalities and laying of wreaths.

The anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities and the commemoration of its founders are, according to the Patriarchate, "a solemn act that is meant to keep the candle of our national unity and dignity burning".AGERPRES(RO - author: Daniel Popescu, editor: Florentina Peia; EN - editor: Maria Voican)