Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Thursday that His All-Holiness Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch, is an internationally recognized Orthodox leader and a promoter of dialogue, peace and good understanding between faiths and peoples.

On Wednesday, Patriarch Daniel traveled to the island of Imbros (Gökçeada) in Turkey to take part in the liturgical celebrations marking the name day and the 35th anniversary of the election of His All-Holiness Bartholomew I as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The anniversary events took place in the Ecumenical Patriarch's native village.

'With joy in our Lord Jesus Christ, we received the invitation to take part in the events on the island of Imbros on June 11, 2026, on the occasion of the name day of His All-Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople - New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, a prominent Orthodox personality of the contemporary world, a devoted servant of the Gospel of Christ and a promoter of dialogue, peace and good understanding between faiths and peoples,' Patriarch Daniel said during the patriarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral in Panagia (Gökçeada).

The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and Patriarch Daniil of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Daniel stressed that attending these events is 'a blessed opportunity to strengthen the relations of communion and cooperation between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate in serving the faithful and confessing the Orthodox Christian faith in the contemporary world', according to the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate.

'We joyfully recall that these relations of fraternal communion between the two Orthodox Churches have been strengthened over time also through the fourteen official visits of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Romania: twice as Metropolitan of Chalcedon, and twelve times as Ecumenical Patriarch. Each of these visits represented a moment of blessing and affirmation of communion between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate, the most recent visit taking place at the end of October 2025, on the occasion of the consecration of the Byzantine mosaic painting of the National Cathedral in Bucharest, an event of profound significance for Romanian and universal Orthodoxy. In the context of this visit, His All-Holiness was decorated by the President of Romania with the highest distinction of the Romanian State: the National Order 'Star of Romania' in the grade of Collar, as recognition for his entire ministry and for his friendship toward the Romanian people,' the Patriarch recalled.

In his address, the BOR Primate highlighted the Ecumenical Patriarch's contributions as 'the best-known and most influential personality of contemporary Orthodoxy' in promoting peace, religious freedom, inter-Christian and interreligious dialogue, and praised his active involvement in environmental protection and responsibility toward creation.

'In these solemn moments, we wish to express our deep gratitude for the invitation to take part in this anniversary occasion in Your Holiness's life. This invitation is a moment of spiritual joy in Jesus Christ our Lord and of strengthening the bonds of communion and friendship between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate. We also warmly congratulate you on the fruitful ministry you carry out as Archbishop of Constantinople - New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, and for your constant dedication to the mission of Christ's Church in the contemporary world. The activity of your Holiness at international level shows that the Ecumenical Patriarchate seeks to promote the perennial spiritual values of Orthodoxy in today's world,' the Romanian Patriarch said.

The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church wished the Ecumenical Patriarch 'health, help and long-lasting ministry, for the good of the Church and for the continuation of the mission of promoting peace, understanding and cooperation among peoples, religions and cultures'.

'We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that, through the intercession of Saint Apostle Bartholomew, Your Holiness's spiritual protector, celebrated today by the Orthodox Church, He may grant you health, help and long-lasting ministry, for the good of the Church and for the continuation of the mission of promoting peace, understanding and cooperation among peoples, religions and cultures. May this blessed work that you carry out with much conviction, dedication and responsibility be beneficial for the mission of the Church and for contemporary society. Many and blessed years!,' Patriarch Daniel said.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the election of His All-Holiness Bartholomew as Ecumenical Patriarch and 65 years of clerical ministry. The Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos is also celebrating 100 years since its establishment and 1,000 years of Orthodox witness on the island of Imbros. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)