{"id":228406,"date":"2019-02-21T15:12:27","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T13:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=228406"},"modified":"2019-02-21T15:12:52","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T13:12:52","slug":"first-2019-holy-synod-working-session-kicks-off-with-ukraine-situation-on-the-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/first-2019-holy-synod-working-session-kicks-off-with-ukraine-situation-on-the-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"First 2019 Holy Synod working session kicks off with Ukraine situation on the agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church came together for the first working session of the Holy Synod on Thursday, after asking for God\u2019s help and inspiration during a Te Deum service officiated at St George chapel of the Patriarchal Residence by Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gathered under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the synodal fathers will review the Church\u2019s activity in 2018 and set proposals for this year, which was declared a Solemn Year of the Romanian Village and a Commemorative Year of Patriarchs Nicodim Munteanu and Iustin Moisescu, and of the translators of church books.<\/p>\n

An important issue that will be talked through by the Romanian hierarchs will be the ecclesiastical situation in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

In his opening remarks, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the tensions existing in Ukraine and pointed to the causes that have led to the current situation.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude pointed out that there are currently 127 Romanian Orthodox parishes in Ukraine, and that the Holy Synod should consider their pastoral care.<\/p>\n

\u2018When we express our opinion on the situation in Ukraine, let us pay close attention to what our communities living there say,\u2019 Patriarch Daniel said Feb. 21.<\/p>\n

Other topics include the social-philanthropic work of the Church, as well as its educational efforts.<\/p>\n