Thursday, February 4, 2010, upon the 85th anniversary of the elevation in rank of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate, through the decision of the Holy Synod, later confirmed by the Royal Decree of February 25, 1925, in all Romanian Orthodox cathedrals in Romania and abroad, the thanksgiving service will be celebrated for the accomplishment of this historic act of dignity and prestige in the life of our Church. The thanksgiving service will be followed by a memorial service for the Romanian Patriarchs who passed away: Miron Cristea, Nicodim Munteanu, Justinian Marina, Justin Moisescu and Teoctist Arapasu.

At the Romanian Patriarchate, the 85th anniversary of the elevation in rank of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate will be marked, on February 4, 2010, by a solemn meeting of the Standing Meeting of the National Church Council which will take place, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, in the Synodal Hall of the Patriarchal Residence, at 10 a.m. On this occasion, Rev. Florin Serbanescu, Patriarchal Counselor and coordinator of the Cultural Patrimony Department of the Romanian Patriarchate, will address those present, explaining the historical context, the making and importance of the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate.

Subsequently, starting at 12 p.m., at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will celebrated the Te Deum service and will commemorate the Romanian Patriarchs who passed away: Miron Cristea, Nicodim Munteanu, Justin Moisescu and Teoctist Arapasu at their tombs located in the Cathedral. At the same time, a memorial service will be celebrated for Patriarch Justinian Marina at this grave located within the church of the Radu Voda Monastery in Bucharest.

THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHATE