On August 12, Patriarch Daniel of Romania met in Bucharest with a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which included Metropolitan of Belgium, Patriarchal Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg Athenagoras (Pekstadt), his brother Protopresbyter Bernard Pekstadt and priest of the Romanian Patriarchate in Brussels Sorin Selaru. This is reported by the publication “Romfea”.

Representatives of the Churches discussed the current challenges that both patriarchates face and analyzed the history of relations. In particular, attention was paid to the spiritual guardianship of the Romanian diaspora and the recognition of the OCU.

The Romanian Patriarch awarded Metropolitan Athenagoras and his brother Father Bernard with the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The primate also presented the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with a panagia, and his brother with a priestly cross with the image of the Apostle Andrew.