Between February 10-11, 2010, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, under the presidency of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod held a working session.

Among the decisions taken are:

- the publishing at the Publishing House of the Biblical and Mission Institute, in 2010, proclaimed by the Holy Synod Anniversary Year of the Orthodox Creed and of Romanian Autocephaly, of the works 1) Autocephaly, Liberty and Dignity; 2) Autocephaly and Responsibility and 3) Autocephaly and Communion. The Romanian Orthodox Church in dialog and external cooperation (1885-2010)

- the expansion, this year, to national level of the social-educational program for the prevention of school dropouts CHOOSE THE SCHOOL!, initiated by the Romanian Patriarchate in 2008 and unfolded now through a partnership with the World Vision - Romania foundation, in 10 dioceses of the Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrudgea and the Metropolitanate of Moldavia and Bukovina

- the Holy Synod appreciated the results of the social-philanthropic program MEAL OF JOY initiated a year ago by the Romanian Patriarchate and the company Selgros Cash&Carry, through which the activity of 153 social-philanthropic institutions of the Church was supported; these institutions provide assistance constantly for almost 14,000 people who are in difficult situations. It was decided that this program shall be continued in all dioceses and new partners will be sought

The Holy Synod has drafted the Pastoral Letter to the Orthodox Clergy and Faithful concerning the fundraiser organized in all churches and monasteries on the Sunday of Orthodoxy (the first in the Great Lent, February 21, 2010), for the Central Missionary Fund, destined for the missionary, social and charitable activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The Holy Synod also addressed an Appeal Romanian Unity and Dignity to the clergy and faithful in the Romanian Diaspora.

THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHATE