Pat Bartholomew: Romanian Church has fulfilled Mother Church's expectations

Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit to Bucharest. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

On October 24, 2025, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, during the celebration of the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the 100th anniversary of the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to patriarchal rank, Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a speech on the unity of the Church and the true meaning of autocephaly, as reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.

Speaking of the occasion – the 140th anniversary of the granting of autocephaly and the centenary of the Patriarchate – Patriarch Bartholomew stated: “These events are worthy of remembrance and honor… Their celebration pertains to the very being of the Church and to the mystery of faith in Christ, which is constantly renewed within the Church.”

Patriarch Bartholomew warned against confusing autocephaly with the notion of ecclesiastical sovereignty: “Autocephaly serves not division, but unity. The autocephalous Churches taken together are not a confederation of equal partners, but a single Eucharistic communion with a shared identity and hierarchical interdependence.”

He also recalled the role of the See of Constantinople: “The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church has entrusted to the Archbishop of Constantinople the responsibility of safeguarding and harmonizing ecclesial life. This is not an authority, but a sacrifice and labor for the unceasing service of the local Churches.”

Addressing the Romanian faithful and hierarchy, Patriarch Bartholomew spoke approvingly: “We rejoice that the daughter Church of Romania, over the years, has fulfilled the expectations of the Mother Church, having kept and upheld the conditions upon which these blessings were bestowed.”

He also alluded to present-day disputes: “It is dangerous to present autocephaly as self-sufficiency and to deny the unique responsibility of the Mother Church. Such assertions appear only thanks to her patience and condescension.”

In response, Patriarch Daniel of Romania called Patriarch Bartholomew’s presence “a great blessing,” linking the visit with the consecration of the mosaic iconography of the National Cathedral and the anniversaries of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The two Primates are expected to participate in the upcoming celebrations and a joint divine service in Bucharest.

Patriarch Daniel expressed gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the recent canonization of four Romanian Athonite monks, noting that this decision coincided with the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the centenary of the Patriarchate. He highlighted the spiritual continuity between Athonite and Romanian monasticism and thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for his care toward the Romanian community in Constantinople and Romanian pilgrims visiting the holy sites of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarchs Bartholomew and Daniel would jointly consecrate the National Cathedral in Bucharest.

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