At Holy Synod session, Ecumenical Patriarch calls on Romanian Church to foster Orthodox unity
During a solemn Holy Synod session on Tuesday marking the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and 140 years of autocephaly, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I urged the Romanian Orthodox Church to continue working for the unity of the Orthodox world.
Addressing the gathering in Bucharest, His Holiness praised the “close, fraternal, and enduring ties” between the Church of Constantinople and the Romanian Patriarchate, emphasising that the Ecumenical See has always viewed its role as one of service rather than privilege. The event highlighted the historic spiritual partnership and shared responsibility among Orthodox Churches.
“Our exhortation to the Holy Romanian Orthodox Church is that it may always continue to contribute to and uphold these good relations, and to work for the unity of the Orthodox world,” the Ecumenical Patriarch urged.
“Never has the Church of Constantinople understood its position as one of greater rights, but only as one of service to those smaller,” said His Holiness Bartholomew I.
“Thus, whenever it was observed that the proper conditions had been created for the good order of ecclesiastical provinces, the Mother Church gladly made use of the opportunities available to grant them freedom in their internal life, rejoicing — as a mother does — in the maturity and progress of her children.”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I expressed his appreciation for his visit to Romania — his 12th as Ecumenical Patriarch, and 14th overall, including those made during his tenure as Metropolitan of Philadelphia.
“This five-day visit and our face-to-face meeting will surely contribute to strengthening and achieving even more harmonious relations between the two Churches,” His Holiness noted.
Autocephaly and Spiritual Communion
“We are grateful that His Holiness has honoured us with His presence and cooperation — with this synergy, this collaboration between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate at a moment of great solemnity: the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the 140th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s autocephaly,” said the Patriarch of Romania.
“We thank His Holiness as well for showing particular care in calling all the Sister Orthodox Churches to unity and communion, and for reminding us that autocephaly does not mean self-sufficiency or isolation, but cooperation and spiritual communion.”
“In addition, we wish to thank His Holiness for the way in which He cares for the Romanian Orthodox faithful in Turkey — in Constantinople and other parts of the country,” His Beatitude added.
“This is a great encouragement for the Romanian Orthodox in Constantinople, where His Holiness has provided a place of worship for the Romanian community in Istanbul — the historic Orthodox church of Saint Paraskevi and Saint Constantine Brâncoveanu the Martyr Prince.”
Unbroken Ties
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel noted that cooperation between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate has continued even during difficult times, such as when Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras welcomed Patriarch Justinian on Mount Athos and invited him to send Romanian monks to revive Athonite monastic communities, despite the fact that Romania was then under an atheist communist regime.
The Patriarch of Romania also expressed, once again, special gratitude for the canonisation of four Romanian Athonite Elders: Dionysius of Colciu (of Vatopedi Monastery), Petronius Tănase, Niphon and Nectarios of Prodromos Skete.
“Without Your Holiness, this great work for the Romanian hesychast saints of Mount Athos could not have been accomplished,” said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
Anniversary Volumes
His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop and Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, presented three anniversary volumes published by the Publishing Houses of the Romanian Patriarchate to mark the 2025 Commemorative Year — the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate:
“Pilgrim in Romania: His Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch”, published in Romanian, English, and Greek by Basilica Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate;
“The Patriarchs of Romania – 100 Years: Commemorative Evocations”, published in Romanian and English by Basilica Publishing House;
“National Unity and Ecclesial Dignity: The Romanian Patriarchate — 100 Years of Activity in the Life of the Romanian People.”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his gratitude for the commemorative volume dedicated to him and extended birthday wishes — “Many Years!” — to the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop on the occasion of his 65th anniversary.
The Ecumenical Patriarch visited Romania on October 24–28, 2025, taking part in the celebratory events that included the consecration of the mosaic iconography of the National Cathedral.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
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