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 regarding pastoral and missionary activities, including the following:
Unanimously approved the decision of the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj to accept the resignation of His Grace Bishop Petroniu Florea from his position as Bishop of Sălaj, declare the episcopal see vacant, and organize elections for a new hierarch at the next Holy Synod session. Until a new bishop is elected, the diocesan leadership will be statutorily ensured by the Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj.
Approved a written synodal reprimand for those who failed to comply with canonical and statutory discipline, as well as the synodal decisions regarding the Romanian Orthodox Church’s stance on political life and electoral campaigns, reaffirming the obligation of all hierarchs, clergy, and monastics to respect these provisions.
Granted, as an exceptional measure, that His Grace Bishop Atanasie Rusnac, Archbishop-elect of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, may assume his responsibilities as ruling hierarch, with the exception of distributing Holy Antimensia and official representation before British and Romanian authorities, until his enthronement.
Reaffirmed the obligation of all hierarchs to uphold ecclesiastical discipline and the synodal rulings regarding clergy ordinations and appointments to clerical and academic positions within dioceses.
Approved the updated regulations for the organization and functioning of Orthodox theological seminaries, colleges, and high schools under the Romanian Patriarchate.
Approved the liturgical texts for the Akathist services of the Holy Confessor Priest Elijah Lăcătușu (July 22), the Holy Hieromartyr Constantine Sârbu (October 23), and Saint Arsenius of Prislop (November 28).
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
Photo: Basilica.ro
