Patriarch Daniel of Romania emphasized the importance of true faith and prayer in maintaining the unity of the Church during the consecration service of the Zlătari Church in Bucharest. He stated that Jesus not only spoke about the unity of the Church but also prayed for it.
The Patriarch highlighted that teaching faith alone is not enough to sustain the unity of the Church. Prayer for unity is essential, as sin constantly threatens to cause schism and division within the Church. Sin itself is described as the division between man and God.
Addressing the theme of the Communion of Eternal Love, Patriarch Daniel referenced the First Ecumenical Council’s purpose to address the deviations caused by Arius’s heresy, which challenged the divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. He explained that the Christian faith reveals God as a communion of eternal love, with the Father being the Father of an eternal Son.
Furthermore, Patriarch Daniel stressed the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as true God for the attainment of eternal life and the union of man with God. He explained that salvation hinges on the belief in Christ’s divinity, as only an eternal God can provide eternal life.
Regarding the influences of Arius’s heresy, Patriarch Daniel pointed out its roots in Greek philosophy, which viewed God as a singular and indivisible entity. In contrast, the Trinity represents a God of love, with each person of the Trinity sharing in eternal love and unity.
Patriarch Daniel concluded by emphasizing the Church’s significance as the extension of Christ’s life from the Holy Trinity into humanity. He highlighted the baptismal invocation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, underscoring the Church’s connection to the Most Holy Trinity and the promise of joy, peace, and love in the Kingdom of God.
Photography courtesy of Lumina Newspaper / Mihnea Păduraru
Source: basilica.ro