Romanian Orthodox Church marks 100 years since becoming a Patriarchate
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church solemnly marked the 100th anniversary of its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate. The Divine Liturgy in the historic patriarchal cathedral was followed by the formal proclamation of the canonisation of 16 Romanian saints of the 20th century.
Brief history
Exactly 100 years ago, on February 4, 1925, already 40 years after the proclamation of the autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the bishops forming the Holy Synod gathered in Bucharest and took the decision to establish the Romanian Patriarchate, thus elevating the then Archbishop of Bucharest and Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia (Muntenia), MIRON Cristea, to the rank of Patriarch. Just a few weeks latter, on February 25, this decision was officially recognised by the country's Parliament, and on July 30 of the same year the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople formally acknowledged the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to Patriarchal status.
The creation of the Romanian Patriarchate was a natural step following Romania’s independence in 1877, which led to the Church’s autocephaly in 1885 and the Great Union of 1918, which brought together all Romanians from historical territories into a one sovereign state.
Metropolitan Miron Cristea was enthroned as Romania’s first Patriarch on November 1, 1925, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Over the next century he was succeeded by six other Patriarchs, leading the Romanian Orthodox Church through often-times harsh and in many ways challenging times: Nicodim Munteanu (1939-1948), Justinian Marina (1948-1977), Justin Moisescu (1977-1986), Teoctist Arăpașu (1986-2007) and Daniel Ciobotea (since 2007).
The Romanian Orthodox Church currently is the largest Orthodox Church within the European Union. Over the past decades, it has adapted to modern social realities, maintaining a strong presence among the Romanian diaspora and being widely recognised as a dynamic and balanced Church that continues to preach the apostolic faith in contemporary times.
Centennial Celebrations and Canonization Proclamation
The centennial celebrations began in the morning with a solemn Divine Liturgy at the historic Patriarchal Cathedral, served by His Beatitude Patriarch DANIEL of Romania, together with all the members of the Holy Synod.
A particularly moving moment of the celebration was the official proclamation of the newly canonised saints of the Romanian Orthodox Church. At the end of the Divine Liturgy the Synodal Tomos was read to the faithful, the icons of the 16 newly canonised saints were presented and the troparia (hymns) dedicated to them were sung with reverence and joy.
Following the proclamation, His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH of Western and Southern Europe served a Te-Deum service, offering prayers of thanksgiving to God for His guidance and protection over the Romanian Orthodox Church throughout its 100-year history as a Patriarchate.
In his address, Patriarch DANIEL reflected on the significance of the centenary, emphasising the vital role of the Romanian Patriarchate throughout history: "The Romanian Patriarchate has been a guiding light towards Christ - the Bridegroom of the Church - as well as a pillar of unity and stability in times of difficulty," His Beatitude said.
In the second part of the day, the celebrations continued with a solemn session of the Holy Synod and the National Church Assembly, presided over by Patriarch Daniel. The session highlighted the most significant moments, contributions, and achievements of the Romanian Orthodox Church over the last century. Speeches and presentations showcased the Church’s role in promoting spiritual, cultural, and social unity among the Romanian people, even during times of persecution and hardship.
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