Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople arrived in Bucharest on Friday to join Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church in officiating, on Sunday, the consecration service for the Byzantine mosaic paintings of the National Cathedral.

The high-ranking cleric, accompanied by a ten-member delegation, was welcomed at the foot of the aircraft at Henri Coanda International Airport by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.

An honour guard made up of Romanian Gendarmerie soldiers presented military honours.

'We come with hearts full of joy and with the love of the Mother Church of Constantinople to take part in the celebration marking 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,' His All Holiness said in his address delivered in the airport's Presidential Lounge.

The Ecumenical Patriarch emphasised that the 'impressive and overwhelming' dimensions of the National Cathedral 'bear witness to the significance and magnitude of these celebrations dedicated to 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 high aspirations of the Romanian people and their devotion to the Holy Orthodox faith, which — even in the darkest of times — was never abandoned by the good people of this spiritually rich and fruitful land,' His All Holiness further said.

He went on to remark that 'Romania is full of saints and ascetic traditions of profound piety, unique in the Orthodox world,' and that the Romanian Orthodox Church 'has a deep history dating back to the 3rd century, serving as a source of martyrs, ascetics and diverse saints (men and women) of God, as also evidenced by the recent canonisation by the Mother Church of Constantinople of four Romanian Athonite saints.'

'The theological riches of this Church are recognised throughout the world, and its struggle to preserve the faith during the communist regime is well known. Therefore, as we look forward with great anticipation to the joyful days ahead, and in recognition of the strong bonds between Constantinople and Bucharest, we warmly and respectfully embrace the Church, its distinguished Patriarch, and the noble Romanian people, acknowledging their marvellous works that glorify our Triune God. Praising their faithfulness, perseverance and integrity, we give thanks to Almighty God for the extraordinary days of our visit among you. Thank you, and may God bless Romania!' the Ecumenical Patriarch concluded.

In his welcoming address, Patriarch Daniel emphasised that the presence of His All Holiness Bartholomew I of Constantinople 'among us is a moment of great blessing, spiritual joy, and a strengthening of the communion between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate.'

'This blessed presence marks the eleventh visit of Your Holiness to Romania and stands as a sign of the enduring fraternal ties between our Churches. Your previous visit took place in 2018, on the occasion of the consecration of the Altar of the National Cathedral — also known as the Cathedral of National Salvation — during the Centenary Year of the Great Union of all Romanian provinces into a single state, the Kingdom of Greater Romania,' the Patriarch recalled.

His Beatitude Daniel noted that the series of solemn events organised in Bucharest during the Centenary Year of the Romanian Patriarchate culminates providentially with Sunday's consecration service of the Cathedral's mosaic paintings, in the presence of His All Holiness.

'The construction and consecration of the mosaic paintings of the National Cathedral — dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord (Heroes' Day) and to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the First-Called and Patron Saint of Romania — fulfil, in fact, a national ideal cherished for nearly a century and a half (1881-2025). Thus, the Centenary Year of the Romanian Patriarchate is crowned by an event of profound spiritual significance for the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the faithful Romanian people,' the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church stated.

Those attending the event included, among others, His Eminence Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch; His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Patriarchal Vicar Bishop; His Grace Visarion, Bishop of Tulcea; His Grace Siluan, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Hungary; State Secretary for Religious Affairs Ciprian Olinici; the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, Lili Evangelia Grammatika; as well as cultural figures and clergy.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is scheduled to take part on Friday, alongside with Patriarch Daniel, in a Te Deum service at the Patriarchal Cathedral on the Hill of Joy.

On Monday, 27 October, when the Orthodox Church celebrates St. Dimitrie (Demetrius) Basarabov the New, Protector of Bucharest, the Divine Liturgy at the outdoor Altar will be led by the Ecumenical Patriarch, together with Patriarch Daniel, members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and a choir of priests and deacons.

This marks the eleventh visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople to Romania, his first having taken place in 1993. On 25 November 2018, the Centenary Year of the Great Union, Patriarch Bartholomew I officiated, alongside His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Consecration Service of the Altar of the National Cathedral, in the presence of members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, clergy, believers, and representatives of Romanian society.

Patriarch Bartholomew was born in 1940 on the island of Imvros (now Gokceada, Turkey). He studied theology in Istanbul, Rome, Switzerland, and Munich. Ordained deacon in 1961 and priest in 1969, he later became a close collaborator of Patriarch Demetrios I. Consecrated bishop in 1973 and Metropolitan of Chalcedon in 1990, he was unanimously elected Ecumenical Patriarch in 1991 and enthroned on 2 November that year, informs doxologia.ro. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN writing by: Simona Iacob)