Patriarch Daniel urges balance of intellectual, professional, and spiritual education in message to students
Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel marked the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year with a message to students and professors, emphasising that intellectual and professional education finds its true fulfilment in spiritual life.
In his blessing, the Patriarch prayed for God to enlighten the minds of students and professors, and to grant them progress in their studies and research. He underlined that education should not be reduced to biological or social existence but must be harmonised with faith, love of God, and enduring cultural and moral values.
The message comes in the context of 2025 being proclaimed by the Holy Synod as the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of Romanian Orthodox spiritual fathers and confessors of the 20th century.
Intellectual and Professional Education Is Fulfilled Through Spiritual Life
At the beginning of the new 2025–2026 academic year, we extend our blessings to all students and professors in higher and postgraduate education, praying to God to enlighten their minds and grant them significant progress in their studies, research, and the deepening of scientific and spiritual values.
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has declared 2025 as the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and as the Commemorative Year of Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors of the 20th century, to affirm the holy gift of faith as a light for life.
A full human life cannot be reduced to mere biological and social existence; rather, it is essentially defined by spirituality, which encompasses love for God and for others. For this reason, the programs of the Romanian Patriarchate addressed to young people are open and directed toward perennial spiritual, moral, and cultural values, not merely toward immediate material and pragmatic success.
Facilitating young people’s access to education, cultural and spiritual formation, and encouraging their participation in the life of local, national, international, and intercultural communities helps them shape a horizon of hope and joy.
The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Ascension into heaven emphasise the eternal value of the human person in the love, peace, and joy of the Holy Trinity. For this reason, Jesus Christ is the source of life, light, and hope for all people, and especially for young people.
At the beginning of every academic year, in addition to the festive atmosphere and the joy of a new generation crossing the threshold of the University for the first time, we are reminded that education is a fundamental right and a good of contemporary society.
It must be protected and promoted in order to offer young people the beauty and benefit of Romanian higher education, to give professors the prestige and social dignity of their vocation as teachers, and to assure parents that there is no greater investment in the future of young people than integral education: scientific, professional, and spiritual, in harmony with the faith, culture, and hope of the Romanian people.
On the occasion of the beginning of the new 2025–2026 academic year, we pray to the Merciful God, the Source of Love and Wisdom, to bless all students, professors, and parents with many and blessed years!
With esteem and paternal blessings,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Basilica.ro
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