{"id":553772,"date":"2025-12-23T15:36:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T13:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=553772"},"modified":"2025-12-23T15:36:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T13:36:13","slug":"romanian-orthodox-holy-synod-decisions-2025-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/romanian-orthodox-holy-synod-decisions-2025-review\/","title":{"rendered":"A year in review: Key decisions of the Romanian Orthodox Holy Synod in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a landmark year marking the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate<\/a>, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church adopted decisions that reshaped the Church\u2019s liturgical calendar, pastoral priorities and institutional life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the canonisation of new saints<\/a> to the consecration of the National Cathedral\u2019s iconography<\/a> and key administrative reforms, 2025 stood out as one of the most significant years in recent Church history.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The decisions of the Holy Synod were primarily administrative, including the approval of new regulations and the updating of existing ones; as well as pastoral and liturgical, such as the establishment of services for the newly canonised saints.<\/p>\n

The agenda of the synodal sessions, presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, also included the organisation of diocesan life through the election of new bishops and assistant bishops.<\/p>\n

The Holy Synod also addressed matters concerning the involvement of clergy in political life and the situation of Romanians in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Not only working or solemn sessions brought the members of the Holy Synod together, but also moments of prayer: in February, the hierarchs concelebrated to mark the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate; in April, they consecrated the Holy and Great Chrism; and at the end of October, the synodal members gathered for the consecration of the iconography of the National Cathedral.<\/p>\n

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Holy Synod members officiating the consecration of the iconography of the National Cathedral, October 26, 2025. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Mircea Florescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New saints added to the Orthodox calendar<\/h2>\n

Among the principal decisions adopted by the Holy Synod in 2025 was the inclusion in the Orthodox calendar of sixteen Romanian saintly women, approved at the Synod\u2019s session held in early July.<\/p>\n

Their canonisation took place in the context of declaring 2026 as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women in the church calendar (myrrh-bearing women, martyrs, venerable mothers, wives, and mothers)<\/a> in the Romanian Patriarchate.<\/p>\n

The highest authority of the Romanian Orthodox Church also decided<\/a> to include in the calendar Romanian saints canonised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate\u2014namely Saint Dionysius of Colciu and Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete.<\/p>\n

Most likely, at the next session of the Holy Synod, the other two Prodromite elders<\/a> canonised by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Saints Niphon and Nectarius, will also be included.<\/p>\n

Liturgical decisions and new church feasts<\/h2>\n

Among the liturgical decisions were the approval of services dedicated to the newly canonised saints and their icons.<\/p>\n

Starting next year, the Orthodox Christian calendar will be enriched with several new commemorations:<\/p>\n