The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met on Thursday, 29 October 2026, in the Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna at the Palace of the Patriarchate in Bucharest, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
During the meeting, the Holy Synod adopted several decisions concerning the Church’s pastoral and missionary activities. The principal decisions are outlined below.
Thematic year for 2028
The Holy Synod designated 2028 as the Solemn Year of the Use of Biblical Texts in the Liturgical Life of the Church and the Commemorative Year of Translators and Printers of Biblical and Liturgical Books throughout the Romanian Patriarchate.
It also approved the year’s framework programme, covering theological and educational, cultural, and media activities.
Approval of liturgical texts
The Holy Synod approved draft liturgical texts for:
- The Akathist and Paraklesis to St Blaise the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Sebaste (11 February).
- The Service of the Holy Military Martyrs (26 October).
- The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God, “Quick to Help”, at Dintr-un Lemn Monastery (21 July).
- The Service, Akathist and Paraklesis to the Icon of the Mother of God, “The Burning Bush” (4 September).
- The Akathist to St Eulogia, the Nun-Martyr of Samurcășești (19 December).
- The Paraklesis to St Liviu Galaction of Cluj, the Priest-Martyr (8 March).
Concerns over groups claiming Orthodox identity
The Holy Synod noted with concern the rise of heretical and schismatic groups, claiming to be Orthodox and holding religious activities that resemble those of the Orthodox Church. These groups abusively use titles, vestments, services and icons associated with the Orthodox Church, creating confusion among the faithful. They also solicit donations for the construction of places of worship and for social and religious activities.
Diocesan centres will take pastoral measures at the local level to ensure that the faithful are properly informed about the dangers of participating in or joining schismatic and/or heretical groups claiming Orthodox identity.
The measures will also emphasise the importance of maintaining full communion with the canonical Orthodox Church and observing the canonical rules established by the Holy Fathers.
Code of responsible communication
The Holy Synod approved the draft text of the Pastoral Code of Responsible Communication in the Romanian Orthodox Church.
The document brings together and systematises existing statutory provisions and synodal decisions concerning the responsibility and discipline of clergy in public communication.
Pastoral care for immigrants
The Holy Synod examined the pastoral care of foreign Orthodox Christians and the Church’s mission among immigrants living in Romania.
New Orthodox religious education textbooks
The Holy Synod welcomed the Minister of Education and Research’s approval of seven new ninth-grade school textbooks for the subject Religion – Orthodox denomination.
It also decided that diocesan centres should encourage religious education teachers to participate in developing future textbook proposals for the subject of Religion.
The Ministry of Education and Research will evaluate these proposals through tenders organised by the National Centre for Curriculum and Evaluation before approving them for use in pre-university education.
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
