1925 – 1939
Patriarch Miron Cristea remains in the collective memory as the founder of the Romanian Patriarchate and a promoter of the dignity of the Romanian Orthodox Church in modern times. He had a strong sense or awareness of the institution and was a diligent and capable man. He learned from both Romanians and foreigners whatever was beneficial for the Church and the Romanian nation. He fought from his youth until the end of his life for the Romanian dignity of the Country and the Church.
1939 -1948
As Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, he shepherded during particularly difficult times—times of economic crisis and war—and was often under pressure from political forces both within the country and abroad. Nevertheless, his patriotism was not one of convenience, but that of an authentic Romanian.
1948 -1977
His pastoral, cultural, missionary, spiritual, and social work for the good of the Romanian Orthodox Church represents for us today—hierarchs, clergy, and faithful—a shining and inspiring model of faithfulness and service to our Savior Jesus Christ and to His Church. With great courage and balance, diplomacy and tenacity, he tried to defend the Church from the systematic blows of political power…
1977-1986
His Beatitude Patriarch Justin, both as a teacher and patriarch, was a representative figure of Romanian Orthodoxy on the international scene. For example, when he was in Greece on an official visit he was received with the protocol of a head of state. Greece had a great respect for Hierarch Iustin Moisescu, not only because he studied in Greece and completed a brilliant doctorate on Evagrius Ponticus, but also because he spoke the universal Greek language…
1986-2007
His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist will always remain in the minds and hearts of all those who knew and admired his bright countenance and his kindness of soul. Like any kind-hearted and wise Romanian, our Patriarch had a natural and beautiful openness to dialog and cooperation with sister Churches and other Christian denominations. In this sense, the Arch-Pastor of Orthodox Romanians was continuing the ecumenical tradition…
