PATRIARCH DANIEL’S MESSAGE TO WORLD CHRISTIAN LEADERS: WE ARE CALLED TO COMFORT THE AFFLICTED

According to the Romanian Orthodox tradition, on the occasion of the great church holidays, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania, addresses an Irenic (peace) message to the Primates of Autocephalous and Autonomous Orthodox Churches.

A similar message was sent to the leaders of other international Christian denominations and organizations.

Read the full message:

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Bucharest,

Nativity of the Lord 2020,

Your Holiness/Beatitude,

The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is the mystery of God’s humble and merciful love, so that we may become like Him, through merciful love (cf. Luke 6:36). Through His Incarnation as a man, Jesus Christ assumes human life mixed with death, in order to make the mortal human beings partakers of His eternal life (cf. John 3:16).

In the context of the present pandemic, humanity is going through a difficult period, regarding human health and life. That is why today, when many people are in isolation, at home or in hospitals, we, Christians, are called to the relief of the afflicted and needy, the poor families, the elderly, and the lonely, discouraged, grieved and saddened, offering them a sign of Christ’s merciful love for them, a good word and a good act.

Thus, the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord becomes an occasion for strengthening communion, mutual help and acts of mercy, which are the fruits of the true faith, concrete witnesses of our humble love towards God and towards people.

On the occasion of the Holy Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the New Year 2021 and the Baptism of the Lord, we wish you good health and peace, joy and abundant help from God in your pastoral activity, together with the traditional greeting: Many years to come!

With high esteem and brotherly embrace in Christ the Lord,

† Daniel

Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church

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Photo courtesy of Basilica.ro