President Nicusor Dan attended the Holy Liturgy on Wednesday at the Cotroceni Palace Church, which was honoring its patron saints, emphasizing on this occasion the importance of always bearing in mind that history does not begin with us.

According to the Romanian Patriarchate's Basilica Agency, the service was officiated by Timotei Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, together with a group of clergy from the Archdiocese, in the presence of Romanian President Nicusor Dan and representatives of the Presidential Administration and the Cotroceni National Museum.

'I am glad to be able to join you here from time to time. And each time, we are reminded that there are things more important than those that seem to occupy all our time. It is important to always keep in mind that history does not begin with us. (...) I believe that in a world, in a society where we see hatred and discord growing, we must set an example of moderation and understanding: we will always have differing opinions, yet we must truly look upon our neighbor as our neighbor,' President Nicusor Dan said at the end the religious service.

Bishop Timotei Prahoveanul noted that friendship with God is the greatest privilege. 'Friendship with God and the profession of His teachings offer the greatest privilege, as was the case with Saints Sergius and Bacchus. (...) This privilege of closeness to God is greater than any high office,' emphasized the hierarch, who recounted the lives of the two saints, military commanders in the retinue of Emperor Maximian Galerius.

His Grace spoke about their martyrdom and the fate of the most significant fragments of their relics.

'What is the message of this feast? Here, long ago, specifically three and a half centuries ago, when Serban Cantacuzino founded a hermitage, he chose Saints Sergius and Bacchus as its patrons; he had been persecuted and threatened before becoming ruler, and Saints Sergius and Bacchus had aided him. (...) It is a message that has reached us from long before this church stood amidst a public works project; when it was established, first as a hermitage and later as a monastery, the feast of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was appointed alongside the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God,' the Vicar Bishop emphasized. For his part, Father Alexandru Bodoros, the priest serving the Cotroceni Palace Church, spoke at the end about the hardships endured by the holy place of worship, demolished by the communists in 1984 and rebuilt after the Revolution.

'Our church is one of many that were crucified at the end of the last century, and among the few that still bear the visible marks of that crucifixion today. This reminds us that we, too, like Christ, must crucify ourselves for the sake of our neighbor, fulfilling the commandment of love,' the priest said.

He thanked the President of Romania for his presence, as well as all the staff at the National Cotroceni Museum, who enable the church to function both as a tourist attraction and as a living liturgical community.

'The church is, indeed, the most important place in this complex; I dare say that had Serban Cantacuzino's foundation not existed here, the complex itself might never have come into being. Once again, great credit is due to my colleagues for ensuring that the church is not merely a museum piece, but a truly living church, a place where the faithful encounter Christ,' concluded Father Alexandru Bodoros.

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Worshippers may access the Cotroceni Palace Church during scheduled liturgical services via the Presidential Administration gate; an identity document is required for entry.

Outside of liturgical service hours, the place of worship can be visited as part of the National Cotroceni Museum tour, as well as during the 'Open Doors at Cotroceni Palace' program held every weekend. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)