Orthodox military chaplains serving in Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), Ministry of National Defence (MApN), and National Administration of Penitentiaries gathered on Monday in Cluj-Napoca for their annual methodological and professional meeting.
The three-day event, which ran until Wednesday, October 8, held a special significance in the life of the Orthodox military clergy. It was blessed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church. His blessing was conveyed on Tuesday by Patriarchal Counsellor Father Ciprian Ioniță, coordinator of the Church’s Social and Philanthropic Department.
On behalf of Patriarch Daniel, Father Ioniță presented the 2025 Diploma of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, in recognition of the spiritual mission and dedicated service of chaplains within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Prayer and meeting with the local metropolitan
The event was attended by commanders and inspectors from MAI units and other military structures, as well as representatives of local authorities, including Cluj-Napoca City Hall, the Cluj County Council, and the Prefecture.
The gathering began at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cluj-Napoca in the presence of Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj. The opening ceremony was marked by prayer, communion, and gratitude for the ministry of military priests.
All participating chaplains were awarded honorary diplomas. This was in recognition of their pastoral dedication and contribution to fostering moral and spiritual values within the ranks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On Tuesday, a group of military priests led by Vicar Dumitru Boca of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca.
Conferences and theological reflection
The program also featured a series of conferences held by leading figures from academia and government, focusing on theological and cultural themes, including the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325–2025).
Chief Police Commissioner Dr Valentin Minoiu, from the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Human Resources Directorate, delivered a lecture titled “The Symbol of Faith (Creed) – 1700 Years of the Covenant of Love between God and Man.” It reflected on the enduring spiritual significance of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
Professor Ioan Chirilă, theologian and faculty member at the Babeș-Bolyai University’s Faculty of Orthodox Theology, presented a lecture titled Confessing Words and the Experience of Repentance. He highlighted the lives and witness of Romanian confessors Saints Liviu Galaction, Hilarion Felea, Paisius, Cleopas, and Dumitru. He offered them as models of sacrifice and faith for contemporary military clergy.
The two conferences provided a setting for theological and professional reflection. The focus was on the vocation of the military priest as a guardian of faith, moral integrity, and human dignity, serving others and the nation.
The annual methodological meeting was organised by the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie, through its Religious Assistance Section. This was accomplished in collaboration with the Cluj County Gendarmerie Inspectorate and the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.
Photo: Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration
