On Wednesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed twelve priests to become confessors (spiritual fathers) and elevated nine hieromonks to the rank of protosyncellus during a special ceremony at the historic Chapel of Saint George at the Patriarchal Residence.

His Beatitudes addressed the clergy about confessors’ responsibility to exercise discernment in their pastoral duties, saying, “A good spiritual father is wise, spiritually mature in his own life, and seeks counsel from the writers of the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Apostles, and the great saints who were shepherds of souls.”

“Reverend Fathers, we congratulate you for passing this spiritual examination after thorough preparation. Today, through this laying of the hands, you have been granted the authority to bind and loose the sins of those who repent in the Mystery of Holy Confession,” Patriarch Daniel said.

“This Holy Mystery of confession and forgiveness of sins is called ‘apostolic and spiritual’ in the specific prayers. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave this authority to bind and loose sins or to forgive and retain sins to His Apostles on the evening of His Resurrection.”

“The mystery of repentance, confession, and forgiveness of sins is a sacrament through which a person is cleansed of sins and is made worthy of receiving the Holy Eucharist,” His Beatitude added.

The role of a spiritual father

The Patriarch of Romania also discussed the role of the spiritual father, emphasizing how “the penitent believer feels the love of God the Father.”

“In this Holy Sacrament of confession and forgiveness of sins, it is essential to recognize that the entire Holy Trinity is present. Through the spiritual father, the penitent believer feels the love of God the Father, who rejoices when any sinner returns to God, as illustrated by the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which is an icon of the Mystery of Repentance and forgiveness of sins.”

Furthermore, His Beatitude explained that the spiritual father has to learn from the humility of certain believers who fervently repent for their sins.

“Sometimes the spiritual father can learn from the humility of believers who fervently repent for their sins and desire to renew their lives and change them for the better.”

“We wish you much help from God during this Dormition Fast, to listen with great attention, devotion, hope, and fatherly kindness to those who come to confess and to guide them on the path of salvation,” His Beatitude added in conclusion.

Recognition of ministry and dedication

Subsequently, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the service for elevating nine hieromonks from the monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest to the rank of protosyncellus.

His Beatitude explained that the motivation for these elevations to the rank of protosyncellus is “a recognition of the ministry and dedication” that the hieromonks have demonstrated over time in the communities where they live.

“When a head is crowned, the entire body is honoured—when a servant of the community is elevated to a higher rank, the entire community and monastery are honoured. Therefore, these ranks are given for encouragement and increased diligence and responsibility,” His Beatitude further explained.

“We wish you God’s help in all spiritual endeavours, and we hope that you will continue to be good witnesses of the Orthodox faith and servants of the monastic communities in which you live,” added Patriarch Daniel.

Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

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