The delegation of the Metropolitanate of Egyna headed by His Eminence Dionisie, Metropolitan of Corinth ended their visit to Romania. The visit took place from 24-29 October 2013.
Today, 29 October 2013, 15.00 hours, the Greek delegation left for the airport taking with them the miracle worker icon of Saint Empress Helen in which particles of the Holy Wood of the Holy Cross and of the relics of the Saint are kept, as well as the historical icon of Saint Emperor Constantine the Great. Before leaving to the airport the delegation was received by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the Patriarchal Residence.
Here, the Patriarch of Romania thanked His Eminence Dionisie and the other members of the delegation for having brought the holy relics and particles of the Holy Wood of the Holy Cross, as well as for the joy they made to the Romanian people.
“Metropolitan Dionisie of Corinth, delegate of the Holy Synod of Greece, now, after six days of blessing and joy, the time has come for us to express our deep gratitude once again for all these feast days of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen, of Saint Great Martyr Artemie, friend and general of Saint Constantine the Great, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New, protector of Bucharest. There were days of great blessing and even the weather expressed this blessing and peace because it was much sunshine and unusual warmth in Bucharest for this time of the year meaning that the blessing of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen were a visible experience for us through their icons, and through the communion of prayer and veneration of the saints of God together with the crowds of pilgrims who came to the Patriarchate these last days. The various relics of saints brought to Bucharest, Galati, and to other parts of the country caused us joy several times, but now, at the end of the Solemn year of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen we felt a climax of all joy just as the Saints Emperors were crowned not only with a crown in the world, but also with a crown of light and holiness in heaven. Please, convey His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronim II of Athens and all Greece and the entire Holy Synod our gratitude, thanksgiving and brotherly salute because this missionary work of Your Eminence with the blessing and approval of the Holy Synod was a blessed and holy one. We personally thank Your Eminence for your much sacrifice, brotherly love, wisdom and devotion as descendent of Saint Paul the Apostle of Corinth who had a special devotion for the Mystery of the cross and of the Resurrection because Saint Paul is an Apostle of the Cross and Resurrection too. Thank you very much in the name of the members of the Holy Synod for the beautiful album you offered us and we pray to the Most Holy Trinity and all saints to give you the power of liturgical and pastoral service and to come to us again not only for work and service, but also for some rest from time to time. We wish you blessed and safe journey back home and many blessed years in the joy and communion of the saints, hierarchs in heaven and on the earth”, the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church said.
His Eminence Metropolitan Dionisie thanked the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church for the visit to Romania and spoke about the Holy Cross too.
“Your Beatitude, I express my deep gratitude and appreciation, love and esteem for you now when you are surrounded by all the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church and give missionary witness to the righteous people and to the whole world too. Our Church is both the Church of the Cross and the Church of the Resurrection by which the people are always victorious when they pass through various trials. Following these efforts of Your Beatitude, both His Beatitude Ieronim II, President of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the entire Church of Greece wanted to be with Your Beatitude at this time of feast because we cannot express ourselves otherwise than how Saint Paul the Apostle did. I have come here accompanied both by the Holy Cross presented through the particles inside it and through the holy relics of the saint inspired by the power of the Holy Cross becoming what they have become, and as Saint Paul the Apostle said: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). This is why we shall never cease making processions with it, to wear it on our chests, to show it to the people in procession, to show that the Cross is the basis of our life, of every one of us. Those who want to desecrate or through away the cross, as Saint Paul the Apostle said, will be crucified too, as history has shown. All these things made me have a spiritual rest here. All these things filled my heart of joy, emotion and feelings that man cannot express. Now I go to convey these feelings to the Church of Greece and to the righteous people whom I serve and who are waiting for you to go there and certainly hope to get Your Beatitude’s blessing”, His Eminence said.
