Patriarch Daniel was congratulated at the Patriarchal Palace on Monday, on his 73rd birthday, by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Senate President Nicolae Ciuca, general mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan, and other representatives of the authorities, during an event held in the "Europa Christiana" Hall.
The Senate president said that Patriarch Daniel's birthday was a day of gratitude and joy for all.
"It is a day of joy for all of us, it is a day of gratitude, as we could see and hear today at the Te Deum dedicated to this day. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Patriarch, for his daily toil, for strengthening the Romanian nation in faith, for serving God and for all that he has accomplished through prayer and deeds in all these years," Ciuca said.
Prime Minister Ciolacu spoke about Patriarch Daniel's "energy and determination" in building the National Cathedral.
"Perhaps the most important project is the construction of the National Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Nation, a dream of over 140 years, which is being achieved today before our eyes, symbolising the vision and devotion of Your Beatitude for the unity and spiritual identity of the Romanian people," Ciolacu said.
Patriarch Daniel thanked those present and emphasised the role of the Church in society and the formative importance of religion in schools.
"In particular we thank the state authorities who constantly and consistently help the Church at different levels, whether national, regional, county or local. This cooperation, which is not always sufficiently emphasised, is based on the conviction that each of us, only together with others, can efficiently help the Romanian people in this period," Patriarch Daniel said.
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