Romanian Orthodox Church Declares 2026 as “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family”

Basilica News – OCP News Service – 27/10/2024

Bucharest-Romania: The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has announced a special focus for the year 2026: the “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family” and the “Commemorative Year of Holy Women.”

The Synod, led by Patriarch Daniel, made the declaration during its working session on October 25th. This initiative aims to strengthen family values and honor the significant contributions of women in the church’s history.

Throughout 2026, the Romanian Orthodox Church plans to organize various events, conferences, and educational programs to promote family unity, address contemporary challenges faced by families, and celebrate the lives of holy women.

Full synodal resolution: 

• The year 2026 was declared the “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family” and the “Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar (Myrrhbearers, Martyrs, Devout Women, Wives, and Mothers)” within the Romanian Patriarchate.
• Approval was granted for the main events planned for the 2025 Centennial Year, marking 140 years since the recognition of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s autocephaly and 100 years since it was elevated to the status of Patriarchate.
• The Holy Martyr Lupus of Thessalonica was added to the Synodal Calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with his feast day on October 27.
• Liturgical texts (synaxaria, troparia, kontakia, and services) for the 16 Saints canonized in the Synodal session of July 11–12, 2024, were approved.
• An amendment was added to Article 134, Paragraph 4, of the Statute for the organization and functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church, specifying that permanent withdrawal from clerical duties for priests and deacons carries the same ecclesial consequences as defrocking.
• With regret, the Synod acknowledged the unjustified postponement by Ukrainian authorities of legal recognition for the “Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine” religious association despite its compliance with all applicable Ukrainian laws. The Synod approved continued efforts with central authorities in Romania and Ukraine to resolve this legitimate request.

Photo: Basilica.ro

Source: Basilica News