Organization of the Romanian Orthodox Church

The Romanian Orthodox Church has a well-defined organization, structured on two main levels: central and local. At the central level, leadership is exercised by deliberative, executive and administrative bodies that ensure the continuity, unity and smooth functioning of church life. At the local level, the diocesan organization, through metropolises, archdioceses, dioceses, deaneries, parishes and monasteries, responds to the pastoral, missionary and administrative needs of the faithful, both in the country and in the diaspora.

Central Church Administration

Central Deliberative Bodies

The Holy Synod

The Holy Synod is the highest authority of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in all its fields of activity. The Holy Synod is constituted by: The Patriarch of Romania and all the acting Metropolitans, Archbishops, Diocesan Bishops, Patriarchal Assistant Bishops, and diocesan Assistant-Bishops.

The Standing Synod

The Standing Synod is the central deliberative body which functions between sessions of the Holy Synod, when the importance of certain matters requires their consideration without delay.

National Church Assembly

The National Church Assembly is the central deliberative body of the Romanian Orthodox Church for administrative, social, cultural, economic and patrimonial matters (art. 19 of the Statute).

Central Executive Bodies

Patriarch of Romania

The Patriarch of Romania is the Primate among the hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the President of the central deliberative and executive bodies of the Church (Art. 24 of the Statute). The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church is also Archbishop of Bucharest and Metropolitan of Wallachia and Dobrudja.

National Church Council

The National Church Council is the central executive body of the Holy Synod and of the National Church Assembly (Art. 28 of the Statute). The National Church Council meets at least twice a year, or whenever necessary, at the convocation of the President.

Standing Commission of the National Church Council

Between the meetings of the National Church Council, the Standing Commission of the National Church Council functions as the central executive body.

Central Administrative Bodies

The Office of the Holy Synod

The Office of the Holy Synod is the central administrative body of the Holy Synod, of the Standing Synod, of the National Assembly of the Church, of the Patriarch of Romania, of the National Council of the Church and of the Standing National Council of the Church.

Patriarchal Administration

The Patriarchal Administration, as a central administrative body, is responsible for examining and drawing up reports on ecclesiastical matters falling within the competence of the central deliberative and executive bodies, through the following specialized administrative departments (art. 38 of the Statute)

Central Church Missionary Institutions

The Central Ecclesiastical Institutions with a Missionary Purpose play an essential role in the work of preaching the Orthodox faith, both in the country and in the diaspora. They are bodies organized at the level of the Romanian Patriarchate, with the mission of promoting Orthodox Christian values, supporting pastoral-missionary activities and strengthening the bond between the Church and the faithful.