On Friday, 6 February 2026, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was held in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel.
The Holy Synod adopted a number of decisions concerning pastoral and missionary activity, including the following:
- It declared 2027 as the “Solemn Year of the Co-operation of Clergy and Laity in the Life and Mission of the Church” and the “Commemorative Year of Patriarchs Justinian Marina (1948–1977) and Teoctist Arăpașu (1986–2007)” in the Romanian Patriarchate.
- It took note of the report of the Chancellery of the Holy Synod regarding the organisation, conduct and public reception of the consecration of the iconography of the National Cathedral, which took place on Sunday, 26 October 2025.
- It approved the draft liturgical text for the Service of the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women (the Third Sunday after Pascha).
- It approved draft liturgical texts for twelve Romanian holy women canonised by the Holy Synod at its working session of 1–2 July 2025, namely: nine services (for Venerable Martyr Eulogia of Samurcășești; Saint Elizabeth of Pasărea; Saint Mavra of Ceahlău; Confessor Saint Blandina of Iași; Saint Olympias of Fărcașa; Venerable Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec; Saint Philotimia of Râmeț; Saint Anastasia Șaguna; and Saint Maria Brâncoveanu, Princess of Wallachia), one Akathist (for Saint Magdalena of Malajnica), and two Supplicatory Canons (for Saint Magdalena of Malajnica and Confessor Saint Blandina of Iași).
- It also approved six icons dedicated to Romanian holy women: Saint Magdalena of Malajnica; Saint Venerable Mavra of Ceahlău; Saints Venerable Nazaria, Olympiada and Elisabeta of Văratec; Saint Olympiada of Fărcașa; Saint Confessor Blandina of Iași; and Saint Venerable Filotimia of Râmeț.
- It approved the organisation and overall concept of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth – ITO 2026, which will take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September 2026.
- It took note of the practical methods for implementing, in the Romanian Orthodox dioceses, the national project “Saint Elijah the Tishbite” Youth Activity Centre, which aims to help prevent early school leaving among vulnerable children in isolated or disadvantaged areas of the country, preparing them to meet the challenges of contemporary life and supporting their better integration into society.
During the same working session, two new editorial releases were also launched: the Synodal Synaxarion of the Romanian Orthodox Church, published in 13 volumes and containing for each saint an icon, kontakion, troparion and synaxarion, as well as the Yearbook of the Holy Synod, volume X (2025).
Press office of the Romanian Patriarchate
Photo: Basilica.ro Files
