Priests from the Southern Bavaria Deanery gathered in Munich last Saturday for extensive discussions on introducing and strengthening Orthodox Religious Education in schools across Germany.
The meeting took place at the Annunciation Romanian Orthodox Parish in Munich and was chaired by Dean Fr. Alexandru Nan. The event was structured in two sessions: a thematic conference and a working meeting.
Opening the gathering, the dean delivered a conference titled “From the formation of the first Romanian parishes to the establishment of the Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe,” outlining the development of Romanian Orthodox communities in Western Europe, with a special focus on parishes in the German-speaking region.
The importance of Religious Education
During the working session, the main topic was the provision of Orthodox Religious Education in Bavarian schools.
Discussions addressed administrative challenges, regional differences, and the need for stronger cooperation among parishes, teachers, and local authorities.
Participants highlighted the importance of enrolling children in religious classes, both to preserve Orthodox identity and to strengthen the visibility of the Romanian community within the German educational system.
Other issues included revitalising pastoral circles through regular meetings and promoting inter-parish concelebrations to enhance cooperation and mutual support in pastoral and missionary ministry.
The meeting concluded with the establishment of coordinated action plans for the coming period, all aimed at better serving the spiritual needs of Romanian Orthodox faithful in Southern Bavaria.
Photo: Mertropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe
