Romanian Church celebrates the centennial of the Patriarchate

Romanian hierarchs with icons of newly canonized saints. Photo: Romanian Patriarchate website

On February 4, 2025, Patriarch Daniel of Romania, together with members of the Holy Synod, representatives of central church institutions, and hundreds of believers, participated in festive liturgical celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate, according to the website of the Romanian Church.

During the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Daniel used the archpastoral staff that Patriarch Miron (Cristea) received as a gift from King Ferdinand at his enthronement in 1925.

At the end of the Liturgy, a solemn proclamation of new modern saints took place. The Synodal Tomos was read, icons were presented, and hymns were sung in honor of 16 Romanian venerable and confessing saints of the 20th century.

In his festive speech, Patriarch Daniel emphasized that throughout its 100-year existence, "the Romanian Patriarchate has been a guiding light leading to Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church, as well as a unifying and stabilizing factor in difficult times."

He noted that the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate is "an occasion for a deeper understanding of the history of our Church, which is closely linked to the history and life of the Romanian people and their aspiration for unity and freedom."

Speaking about the newly canonized saints, the Patriarch highlighted that they represent "the most precious fruit that our Church has borne over these 100 years, as through them, the mysterious work of the grace of the Holy Spirit in the Romanian Orthodox Church is most vividly manifested."

Afterward, Metropolitan Joseph of Western and Southern Europe led a thanksgiving service dedicated to the centennial of the Patriarchate, as well as a session of the Holy Synod and the National Church Assembly.

The celebrations will continue with a solemn session of the Holy Synod and the National Church Assembly, where key moments and achievements of the Romanian Orthodox Church over the past 100 years will be presented.

In 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church is celebrating both the 100th anniversary of its elevation to Patriarchate status and the 140th anniversary of its autocephaly. Among the events dedicated to this jubilee is the great consecration of the National Cathedral, scheduled for October 26.

Earlier, it was reported that Romania would celebrate the centennial of the Patriarchate in 2025.

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