Source: Basilica.ro
Originally published on October 26, 2024
by Aurelian Iftimiu
The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the Aula Magna “Patriarch Teoctist” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
Following the elections for the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland, the Holy Synod adopted several resolutions concerning pastoral care for Romanians in the country and abroad, including the following:
- The year 2026 was declared the “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family” and the “Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar (Myrrhbearers, Martyrs, Devout Women, Wives, and Mothers)” within the Romanian Patriarchate.
- Approval was granted for the main events planned for the 2025 Centennial Year, marking 140 years since the recognition of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s autocephaly and 100 years since it was elevated to the status of Patriarchate.
- The Holy Martyr Lupus of Thessalonica was added to the Synodal Calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with his feast day on October 27.
- Liturgical texts (synaxaria, troparia, kontakia, and services) for the 16 Saints canonized in the Synodal session of July 11–12, 2024, were approved.
- An amendment was added to Article 134, Paragraph 4, of the Statute for the organization and functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church, specifying that permanent withdrawal from clerical duties for priests and deacons carries the same ecclesial consequences as defrocking.
- With regret, the Synod acknowledged the unjustified postponement by Ukrainian authorities of legal recognition for the “Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine” religious association despite its compliance with all applicable Ukrainian laws. The Synod approved continued efforts with central authorities in Romania and Ukraine to resolve this legitimate request.
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu