Saturday, November 28, 2009, in the Cathedral of Arad, the ceremony of elevation in rank of the Diocese of Arad to the rank of Archdiocese took place, in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The ceremony debuted with the Holy Liturgy celebrated by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, together with 13 hierarchs, members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and Right Rev. Luchian, the bishop of Orthodox Serbians in Budapest and Timisoara. The Holy Liturgy was followed by the solemn elevation in rank of the Diocese of Arad. The event was attended by representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and of other religions, state and central authorities, invitees from Romania and abroad and thousands of faithful.

At the end of the Holy Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel underlined the importance of this moment for the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church. 'The elevation in rank of the diocese of Arad to the rank of archdiocese [comes] after more than 300 years of humble, stable and rich uninterrupted activity of witness of the Orthodox faith,' said His Beatitude Daniel, who also reminded that there were Orthodox bishops in the area of Arad since the 8th century.

Upon the argumented proposal of His Beatitude Daniel, the Holy Synod decided, on June 19, 2009, to approve the elevation of the Diocese of Arad to the rank of archdiocese. In accordance with the Canon 12 of the 4th Ecumenical Council, and with the bylaw of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the bishop of Arad was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.