“Mothers make a special contribution to their children’s development, while fathers are called to be attentive, active and responsible. Raising children is a shared responsibility,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Monday, at the conclusion of the first day of the pastoral-missionary conference for clergy of the Archdiocese of Bucharest.
“A mother’s self-sacrificing love for her children must be accompanied by the support of her husband and the community, so that she does not have to carry the burden of these responsibilities alone,” His Beatitude continued.
The Romanian Patriarch’s address addressed both the themes of the Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Church Calendar (Myrrhbearers, Martyrs, Venerable Women, Wives and Mothers).
On family life
In addition to highlighting the complementary roles of mothers and fathers in raising children, Patriarch Daniel’s message also explored the spiritual dimensions of family life.
“The Christian family is called to become a place where faith is learned through words and example. Children discover the power of prayer by praying with their parents, understand forgiveness when they see it put into practice, and learn charity by taking part in concrete acts of assistance to others,” Patriarch Daniel said.
“Holy wives and mothers show us that family life can be a path to holiness. Caring for members of the household, patience during illness, faithfulness in times of trial and efforts to preserve peace in marriage have great spiritual value when undertaken in the love of Christ.”
Sharing responsibilities equally
“A spiritually sound understanding of the family protects us from idealisations that can conceal real suffering,” the Romanian Patriarch also said.
“Husbands and wives both need to learn to listen and to ask for forgiveness. They need to share household and childcare responsibilities equally. At times, they also need the support of their spiritual father and the assistance of other qualified people.”
An exercise in communion
Patriarch Daniel also referred to a passage from St Dumitru Stăniloae the Confessor, which, he explained, “helps us understand the family in relation to the Church’s life of communion”.
The saint wrote:
“Family members are called, first and foremost, to offer one another mutual assistance towards this goal. They are called to forgive one another the mistakes they make as human beings, to encourage one another through words and example to avoid unworthy actions, to help one another in doing good, to care for one another and to encourage one another to pray through their own example. In doing so, they feel themselves drawing closer to Christ.”
Families need support
His Beatitude urged Church communities to support families experiencing illness, separation or bereavement.
“In such circumstances, our words must be accompanied by our presence, prayer and practical assistance.”
“At the same time, families who are unable to have children must be approached with sensitivity. Their suffering calls for compassion and prayer. The communion between husband and wife retains its eternal value, and their love can bear fruit through many other forms of service and the protection of life.”
Conference programme
The autumn pastoral-missionary conference for clergy of the Archdiocese of Bucharest took place at the Palace of the Patriarchate on 2–3 November 2026.
Monday’s participants included priests from Bucharest and Ilfov County, including chaplains serving in hospitals and social care institutions, missionary priests working in educational institutions, military chaplains serving within the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, as well as priests serving in public cemeteries.
The gathering followed the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Spyridon the New in Bucharest, which Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated.
Participants subsequently attended presentations of theological papers and a screening of the documentary The Angel of the Desert – St Elizabeth of Pasărea, produced by Trinitas TV and available on the Orthodox streaming platform Trinitas Film.
At the conclusion, Patriarch Daniel presented distinctions to the authors of the theological papers:
- Archdeacon Dr Eugen Maftei, university lecturer and diocesan adviser in the Education and Youth Activities Department of the Archdiocese of Bucharest;
- Răzvan Mihai Clipici, doctoral researcher and patriarchal adviser in the Culture, Painting and Restoration Department of the Patriarchal Administration;
- Fr Dr Alexandru Briciu, editor-in-chief of Lumina Newspaper.
The conference continued on Tuesday with clergy from Prahova County.
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