On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 100 years since the Holy Synod approved the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. This decision elevated Patriarch Miron Cristea, then Archbishop of Bucharest and Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia (Muntenia), as the first Patriarch of Romania.
The Romanian Parliament officially recognized the Synodal decision through a special law promulgated by King Ferdinand I, the Unifier, on February 25, 1925. Later, on July 30, 1925, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople formally acknowledged the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to Patriarchal status.
A Natural Step in the Church’s History
The creation of the Romanian Patriarchate was a logical step following Romania’s independence in 1877, which led to the Church’s autocephaly in 1885 and the Great Union of 1918, which brought together all Romanians from historical territories into a sovereign state.
On December 7, 1924, the renowned historian Nicolae Iorga commented in the Universul newspaper: “We are the only Orthodox nation with only a Primate Metropolitan at the head of an autonomous Church.”
He also emphasized the historical precedent:
“When the Wallachian Metropolis was established, its Metropolitan was a Patriarchal Exarch. In the late 16th century, the Metropolitan of Moldavia was recognized across Orthodoxy as holding patriarchal dignity. For two centuries, all Eastern Patriarchates were under Romanian rulers.”
In the same newspaper, Minister of Religious Affairs Al. Lepădatu wrote in December 1924 that the creation of the Romanian Patriarchate was necessary due to:
- The Romanian Church’s numerical and moral superiority over other Orthodox Churches,
- Its historic role as the defender and protector of Christians in the East,
- Romania’s political prestige among Orthodox nations, which needed to be reflected in the Church’s status.
Patriarchs of Romania
Metropolitan Miron Cristea was enthroned as Romania’s first Patriarch on November 1, 1925, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
Before His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Romanian Orthodox Church was led by five previous Patriarchs:
- Miron Cristea (1925-1939)
- Nicodim Munteanu (1939-1948)
- Justinian Marina (1948-1977)
- Justin Moisescu (1977-1986)
- Teoctist Arăpașu (1986-2007)
Centennial Celebrations and Canonization Proclamation
The Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate was celebrated on Tuesday with a solemn Divine Liturgy and a Te Deum at the Patriarchal Cathedral, attended by all members of the Holy Synod.
At the end of the service, the canonization of 20th-century Romanian confessors and martyrs was officially proclamated.
The Romanian Orthodox Church is the largest Orthodox Church within the European Union. Over the past decades, it has adapted to modern social realities, maintaining a strong presence among the Romanian diaspora and being recognized as a dynamic and balanced Church that continues to preach the apostolic faith in contemporary times.
Photo: Enthronement ceremony of Romania’s first Patriarch Miron Cristea in 1925. Credit: Romanian Patriarchate
