{"id":220814,"date":"2018-12-12T11:51:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T09:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=220814"},"modified":"2018-12-12T11:51:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T09:51:00","slug":"the-consecration-service-of-an-orthodox-church-is-the-inauguration-of-a-new-gate-to-heaven-patriarch-daniel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/the-consecration-service-of-an-orthodox-church-is-the-inauguration-of-a-new-gate-to-heaven-patriarch-daniel\/","title":{"rendered":"The consecration service of an Orthodox church is the inauguration of a new gate to Heaven: Patriarch Daniel"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday said that \u2018the consecration service of an Orthodox Church is the inauguration of a new gate to Heaven.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sunday, Dec. 9, the Patriarch of Romania consecrated the new Church of the stavropegic monastery of Techirghiol, having as concelebrants Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis, Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube, and Bishop Visarion of Tulcea.<\/p>\n

In his homily, the Patriarch offered his reflections on the consecration of a new place of worship, also pointing to the history of the Techirghiol Stavropegic Monastery new church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, St Theoctistus and St Daniel the Hermit.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude said that \u2018the church has the shape of a cross because the Holy Cross shows the love of the Holy Trinity for the world.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018In the Church, we have the icon of the Kingdom of Heaven, where the Holy Trinity, together with the Mother of God and with all the Saints of all times communicate to us the gladness and the joy of eternal communion.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church listed three gifts that Christians receive in the church.<\/p>\n

The first gift is the forgiveness of sins, the second is \u2018the joy to listen to and fulfil God\u2019s word,\u2019 and the third great gift is \u2018the provision of eternal life.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018That is why the Church is the gate of Heaven and God\u2019s habitation,\u2019 Patriarch Daniel added.<\/p>\n

He also stressed that we should prepare ourselves for our journey to the heavenly fatherland even from our earthly life.<\/p>\n

The Patriarch of Romania went on to speak about the most important moments since the laying of the foundation stone for the new Church until the consecration he performed on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Even though the foundation stone was laid in 2000, the actual construction works began three years later.<\/p>\n

\u2018After fifteen years of construction and embellishment works, we came to consecrate this church on the 1918 Great Union Centennial, when we also mark the 90th<\/sup> anniversary of the foundation of the patriarchal stavropegic monastery of Techirghiol,\u2019 His Beatitude explained.<\/p>\n

Pointing to the church\u2019s iconography, the Patriarch noted that \u2018this patriarchal stavropegic monastery stresses the communion of Romanian Saints of all times and places.\u2019<\/p>\n

He added that the iconostasis was painted entirely by the nuns of the monastic community.<\/p>\n

At the end, the monastery\u2019s abbess Lucia Rosu was ordained a Stavrophore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n