Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has urged parents, schools and Church institutions to work together for the spiritual and moral formation of children, warning that the rapid erosion of spiritual values in contemporary society threatens the dignity of the family and weakens the bond between parents, children and the Church.
His message was delivered on 6 November 2025 at the Palace of Parliament, during the event marking 20 years since the founding of the National Federation of Parents.
Please find below Patriarch Daniel’s message.
Co-operation between Family, School and Church in the Upbringing and Education of Children
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary event of the National Federation of Parents, held on 6 November 2025 at the Palace of Parliament, with paternal affection, we encourage the members of the Federation to value and support the efforts of all educators, and to cultivate and promote the values of faith in the family, in school and in society.
There is a deep bond between the mystery of the Church and the mystery of the family (cf. Ephesians 5:32).
The Church blesses the family and guides it on the path of salvation and holiness, and the family extends the life of the Church: those who are born into a Christian family do not enter only the human community or society, but through Holy Baptism enter the ecclesial community and the paternal and filial love of the Holy Trinity.
In the Christian family, the child grows in love for God and neighbour, forming a luminous way of understanding the world and life, the first habits, and the religious-moral character.
For this reason, Saint John Chrysostom urges parents to cultivate good teaching in the souls of their children as early as possible: “If you imprint good teachings in his soul whilst it is still tender, no one will be able to tear them out; they are strengthened like a seal pressed into wax.” (On the education of children)
Weakening of faith, of parental, filial and fraternal love, and neglect of education in the family lead to the weakening of the family’s bond with the Church — to indifference and spiritual decay. The crisis of the family is expressed in the abandonment of children by parents and of parents by children, in the large number of abortions and divorces, in the increase of domestic violence and juvenile delinquency, in the danger posed by drugs and other addictions, and in the promotion of unusual “models” of family.
Today, the Church defends the dignity of the family in a society in crisis regarding spiritual values and exposed to constant changes that diminish the primary role of parents in the education of their children.
In this regard, in accordance with Article 29, paragraph 6 of the Constitution of Romania, the Romanian Patriarchate has consistently supported the right of parents to ensure the education of their minor children according to their own convictions, since this responsibility rests with parents.
Furthermore, in order to raise awareness of the fundamental role of parents in the field of education, by Decision No. 629 of 12 March 2009, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church established that the first Sunday after 1 June — International Children’s Day — is to be called Parents’ and Children’s Sunday.
Every child needs family and school — and, from the first day of life, also the Church — to work together for his or her physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth. Within the family, school and ecclesial environment, the Church supports an integral education of children and young people, valuing the formative particularity of religious education.
The Religion class in schools, together with the main national catechetical programme “Christ Shared with Children”, reveal to children and young people the profound Christian meaning of life, offer essential reference points for personal and community development, cultivate love for God and neighbour, and for the whole of God’s creation, promote communion between generations, and discern and nurture vocations for the good of society.
Likewise, through the ten editions of the educational project “Choose the School!”, the Romanian Orthodox Church has supported the education of children at risk of school abandonment, affected by material hardship or by the phenomenon of migration, so that these children may integrate and grow within a community that cultivates spiritual and cultural values.
On the celebration of 20 years of activity, we wish all members of the National Federation of Parents – Edupart, and all those taking part in this anniversary, health, joy and much help from God!
With high esteem and paternal blessing,
† DANIEL
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Basilica.ro files / Raluca Ene
