Patriarch Daniel of Romania has shared a heartfelt message expressing his joy and gratitude for being invited to participate in the International Theological Conference of Pavleia, dedicated to the Apostle Paul, the founder of the Metropolis of Veria in Greece. This year’s conference is especially significant as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the election of Metropolitan Panteleimon.
In his message, Patriarch Daniel extends warm congratulations to Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria and offers prayers for many blessed years in his ministry.
Read the Message:
“We were delighted to accept the invitation to join the International Theological Conference of Pavleia, honoring the Apostle Paul, the founder of the Metropolis of Veria.
This year’s gathering holds special importance as it marks 30 years since Panteleimon became Metropolitan of Veria, Naoussa, and Campania. On this auspicious occasion, we congratulate Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria and pray to God and the Holy Apostle for fruitful years in his sacred service.
The theme of this year’s conference, Apostle Paul and the liturgical life of the Church, is highly relevant as the Divine Liturgy is the core and expression of our Holy Church’s faith teachings for every generation until the Second Coming of our Lord, as proclaimed by the Apostle Paul.
Apostle Paul skillfully theologized on aspects related to the life of the early Christian communities, some of which he established, as well as on the Incarnation of the Son of God for our redemption and the renewal of our union with the Holy Trinity in the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The teachings of Apostle Paul, enriched by his experience in performing the Divine Liturgy and partaking in communion with the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ, remain relevant and safeguard the core values of humanity, especially in today’s world marked by numerous moral, social, and economic crises.
We eagerly anticipate and bless the proceedings of the 30th International Theological Conference titled Pavleia, and we pray to God for fruitful and beneficial outcomes for the Orthodox Church and the current generations of Christians. Just as Paul discovered Christ on his way to Damascus and returned to the Church through the Divine Sacraments and Liturgy, may today’s Christians become true and active members of the Church, following the example of Apostle Paul.
With paternal love in Christ God,
DANIEL
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas