On Monarchy Day, a memorial service was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral to commemorate all the monarchs of Romania who have passed away. After the service, Archimandrite Clement Haralam, the Great Ecclesiarch of the Cathedral, addressed the faithful present, reflecting on the monarchy’s role in Romanian history.
“Monarchy was not merely a form of government, but a mission. Our kings and queens lived and died for the good of the nation. They founded schools, hospitals, and churches, supported culture, defended the country’s unity, and upheld the Orthodox faith,” he said.
“Under their sceptre, Romania was known for its dignity and earned international respect. They understood that to rule is to serve, and their service was deeply rooted in Christian values.”
Models Offered to Romanians
May 10 marks the arrival in 1866 of Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen in Bucharest, the future King Carol I. In his closing remarks after the memorial, Archimandrite Clement Haralam summarized the examples set by Romania’s kings and queens through the values to which the Royal Family remained firmly committed.
“Monarchy Day is not just a date on the calendar—it is a day of remembrance and gratitude for our kings and queens, who wrote the history of our people through their deeds and prayers. Under the sceptre of King Carol I and his successors, Romania experienced moments of national elevation, unity, strengthening, and spiritual enlightenment,” said the archimandrite.
“Today we remember in prayer Carol I, who founded the modern Romanian state and brought about our country’s independence in 1877; Queen Elisabeth, known by the people as the ‘mother of the wounded’ for her merciful heart and love for humanity.”
“We remember King Ferdinand, the unifier of the country, who with God’s help united the Romanian provinces in 1918, and Queen Marie, his support and the mother of the nation, who honoured Romania at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. We also pray for the soul of King Carol II, with all his complexities, and for King Michael I, who endured exile with dignity.”
