Press Releases

Press release: Bucharest Pride – a new act of public disturbance

The Romanian Patriarchate openly expresses its concern and disapproval regarding the upcoming Bucharest Pride March, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025, which coincides with the eve of the great feast of Pentecost (also known as Whitsun), a major celebration in the Orthodox Christian calendar. We consider the scheduling of Bucharest Pride as defiantly juxtaposed to…

Jun 5, 2025basilica.ro

Romanian Orthodox Church to toll bells nationwide on Ascension Day in honor of National Heroes

On the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, May 29, 2025, at noon, the bells of all places of worship within the Romanian Patriarchate will ring in eternal remembrance, honor, and gratitude for the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom, dignity, and unity of the Romanian people, for the confession of…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam and Prior Sabino Chialà reaffirm Orthodox–Catholic ties in Bucharest

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești,  Secretary of the Holy Synod, received Brother Sabino Chialà, Prior of the Roman Catholic Monastery of Bose (Italy), in an audience at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. During their discussions, Bishop Varlaam emphasized the long-standing cooperation between the Romanian Patriarchate and the…

May 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church reaffirms political neutrality ahead of presidential election

The Romanian Orthodox Church clearly reaffirms its position of neutrality during electoral campaigns, distancing itself from any act of partisan politics and avoiding public support for any of the candidates running in the presidential election. We respect every individual’s vote, as it reflects their faith, convictions, and personal choice—an expression of a democratic right guaranteed…

May 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod elects new Bishop of Sălaj and initiates 2026 Holy Women canonization

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place in the Aula Magna “Teoctist Patriarch” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The session was preceded by a Te Deum service celebrated by His Grace Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate calls for prayer and solidarity amid worsening wildfires

As wildfires continue to spread across multiple regions of Romania, the Romanian Patriarchate urges clergy and faithful in all dioceses to unite in prayer and solidarity. On Sunday, March 16, 2025, during the Divine Liturgy, special petitions “for times of great need and human peril” will be included in the Great Litany and the Litany…

Mar 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate commemorates anti-communist political prisoners on March 9

March 9 marks both the feast day of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the National Day of Commemoration for Anti-Communist Political Prisoners from the period 1944–1989. On this day, we especially remember the Romanian freedom fighters who opposed the totalitarian communist regime, endured imprisonment in labour camps and prisons and bore witness to…

Mar 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod meeting: Decisions on Church discipline, clerical appointments, and new liturgical texts

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met for a working session at the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Following the election of a new Assistant Bishop for the Archdiocese of Chișinău, the Holy Synod adopted several decisions…

Feb 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate to celebrate its Centennial with special liturgical events at the Patriarchal Cathedral

The liturgical events at the Patriarchal Cathedral marking the Centennial Anniversary of the Romanian Patriarchate will take place according to the following schedule: On Monday, February 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM, after the conclusion of Vespers, a final memorial service will be held at the Patriarchal Cathedral in honor of the 16 Romanian saints who…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Response to Pope Francis’ statement on a unified date for Easter

Following a recent statement by Pope Francis regarding the establishment of a common date for the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord, we wish to clarify that any consultation on the date of Easter and a possible decision can only take place within the framework of a future Pan-Orthodox Council, with the participation of…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Press Release: Key Dates and Events of the 2025 Centennial Year in the Romanian Patriarchate

The year 2025 has been proclaimed the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of 20th-century Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors. In this context, several significant events are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Highlights include: February 4, 2025 – Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate The…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu