Today, 16 October 2012, His Beatitude Hristofor, Primate Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia ended his official visit to the Romanian Patriarchate paid at the invitation of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, on the occasion of the festivities dedicated to the celebration of the saint patron of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi, Saint Pious Parascheva.
While still at the Patriarchal Residence, before leaving to Otopeni Airport, His Beatitude Hristofor declared: 'I am very grateful for the fact that His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel invited me to see once again the good development of the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church. I was very impressed, on one hand by the fact that the people live a strong religious feeling seen on the occasion of the pilgrimage, and on the other hand, I noticed that the Church is very dynamic, organising programmes for aiding the people in distress, especially for the sick and grieved people. I have also seen during the four days that I spent in Romania the enthusiasm and love of the Romanian faithful people for their Patriarch, especially in the area we have visited. It means that the Patriarch enjoys a very great appreciation and fame in Romania because the Church headed by His Beatitude plays a very important role in society and so, he became well-known not only in the country, but also abroad. This is why I thank once again His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, with gratitude, for the invitation extended. I am also very grateful to the Romanian people who showed me much love during the four days of my visit', as Trinitas Radio informs.
Friday, 12.00 hours, 12 October 2012, His Beatitude Hristofor was met at Otopeni Airport by His Grace Ciprian Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, as delegate of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
The Patriarch of Romania met the Primate Metropolitan in the Patriarchal Cathedral, where a Polichronion service was celebrated, after which the Patriarch of Romania delivered a welcome speech.
Friday, all the day long, His Beatitude Hristofor, Archbishop of Prague and Primate Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia visited the Patriarchate Palace, the building yard of the Cathedral for the Nation's Salvation, the new shop of church objects, books and vestments of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, and the 'Life Word' Galleries, accompanied by His Grace Ciprian Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch.
Friday night, the two Primates were met at the Airport of Iasi by His Eminence Teofan, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, as well as by several hierarchs, members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, priests, many faithful, and representatives of the local and central authorities.
The official reception of the Patriarch of Romania and of the Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia took place Saturday, 13 October 2012, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi, on the occasion of the saint patron's day celebration. A Te Deum service was celebrated on the occasion. Then, the new seat of the Providence Policlinic Medical Centre of the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bucovina was consecrated and inaugurated and Diaconia House - Multifunctional Centre of Social Assistance and Education and Saint Sava church were visited. At 11.30 hours, the church of the Entrance of the Lord in Jerusalem - Flora of Iasi city was consecrated, and a visit to the Providence Hospital of the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bucovina took place.
Sunday, 14 October 2012, feast of Saint Pious Parascheva, His Beatitude Daniel, Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudgea, Locum Tenens of the Throne of Caesarea of Cappadocchia and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the saint patron's day of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi together with His Beatitude Hristofor, Archbishop of Prague and Primate Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, assisted by a group of hierarchs, priests and deacons.
Sunday afternoon, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and His Beatitude Hristofor visited Agapia Monastery, county of Neamt. The two Primates were accompanied by His Eminence Teofan, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina and by His Grace Ioachim Bacauanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau. The same day, in the evening, the two Primates visited Varatec Monastery, county of Neamt.
Next day, Monday, 15 October 2012, His Beatitude Hristofor celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Varatec Monastery, assisted by a group of priests and deacons.
Then, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, His Beatitude Primate Metropolitan Hristofor, His Eminence Teofan, His Grace Assistant Bishop Ioachim Bacauanul and the priests and deacons of Neamt region present there visited the 'Pious Nazaria' Social Philanthropic Settlement close to the monastery which will be inaugurated in the near future.
