On Thursday, Father Patriarch Daniel sent an “irenic letter” (no peace) on Easter to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Patriarchs of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
“In these difficult times, marked by moral, economic and social crises, as well as devastating military conflicts, whose tragic consequences affect the lives of many Christians, we are called by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ to bring relief, healing and hope to all those who are in sufferings and needs,” the document states.
Bartholomew I is, from November 2, 1991, the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
He bears the title of “Archbishop of Constantinople” and is considered the successor of Saint Andrew the Apostle, “the first among his equals” in relation to the leaders of the Orthodox Churches.
Full text of the letter:
Bucharest, Easter 2024
Your Holiness/Blessing,
Christ is Risen!
The Holy Feast of the Resurrection is the foundation of the Christian life and the foretaste of the glory and joy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, the Mystery of the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals to all of us the victory of holiness over sin, of love over hatred, of peace over violence, of justice over injustice.
In these difficult times, marked by moral, economic and social crises, as well as devastating military conflicts, whose tragic consequences affect the lives of many Christians, we are called by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ to bring relief, healing and hope to all those in sufferings and needs. Thus, we all become the hands of the merciful love of our Savior Jesus Christ the Crucified and Risen, showing the lonely, sick and marginalized His sacrificial and sanctifying love for all people.
We pray to God that the Holy Easter Holidays bring you health and much help in the pastoral and missionary work you carry out.
With special appreciation and brotherly embrace in Christ/
With joy in Jesus Christ the Risen Lord,
† DANIEL
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
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