New Decisions of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church

On Friday, 6 February 2026, in the “Teoctist Patriarch” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place.

The Holy Synod adopted a series of decisions regarding pastoral and missionary activity, among which we mention the following:

• It declared the year 2027 as the “The Solemn Year of the Cooperation between Clergy and Laity in the Life and Mission of the Church” and the “Commemorative Year of Patriarchs Justinian Marina (1948–1977) and Teoctist Arăpașu (1986–2007)” within the Romanian Patriarchate.
• It took note of the report of the Chancellery of the Holy Synod regarding the organization, unfolding, and reception of the event of the Consecration of the Painting of the National Cathedral, which took place on Sunday, 26 October 2025.
• It approved the draft liturgical text for the Service of the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women (Third Sunday after Pascha).
• It approved the draft liturgical texts for 12 Holy Romanian Women canonized by the Holy Synod during the working session of 1–2 July 2025, namely: 9 Services (St. Venerable Martyr Evloghia of Samurcășești; St. Venerable Elisabeth of Pasărea; St. Venerable Mavra of Mount Ceahlău; St. Confessor Blandina of Iași; St. Olympias of Fărcașa; St. Venerables Nazaria, Olympias, and Elisabeth of Văratec; St. Venerable Filotimia of Râmeț; St. Anastasia Șaguna and St. Princess Maria Brâncoveanu), 1 Akathist Hymn (St. Magdalena of Mălainița), 2 Supplicatory Canons (Parakleses) (St. Magdalena of Mălainița and St. Confessor Blandina of Iași), and it also approved six icons made in honor of Holy Romanian Women (St. Magdalena of Mălainița; St. Venerable Mavra of Mount Ceahlău; St. Venerables Nazaria, Olympias, and Elisabeth of Văratec; St. Olympias of Fărcașa; St. Confessor Blandina of Iași and St. Venerable Filotimia of Râmeț).
• It approved the organization and concept of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth – ITO 2026, which will take place in Bucharest between 31 August and 3 September 2026.
• It took note of the practical methods for implementing, in the Romanian Orthodox Dioceses, the national project “Saint Elijah the Tishbite” Youth Activities Center, which will contribute to preventing school dropout among vulnerable children in isolated or disadvantaged areas of the country, preparing them to respond to the challenges of contemporary life and supporting their better integration into society.

At the same time, during the working session, two new editorial publications were launched:

• the Synodal Synaxarion of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in 13 volumes, which includes for each saint the icon, kontakion, troparion, and synaxarion;
• and the Yearbook of the Holy Synod, Year X (2025).

Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate