Biography
The biography of His Beatitude Daniel (CIOBOTEA) Patriarch of The Romanian Orthodox Church.

Biographical data and professional training
- He was born on 22 July 1951, to parents Alexe and Stela Ciobotea, in Dobreşti village, Bara commune, county of Timiş. He was baptised Dan-Ilie.
- 1958 – 1962 – he attends the primary school in his native village Dobreşti, county of Timiş
- 1962 – 1966 – he attends the secondary school in Lăpuşnic, county of Timiş;
- 1966 – he begins the high school studies in Buziaş city, which he continues in Lugoj city, at “Coriolan Brediceanu High School (1967 – 1970);
- 1970 – 1974 – he studies at the Orthodox University Theological Institute of Sibiu;
- 1974 – 1976 – he attends the doctorate courses at the Orthodox University Theological Institute of București, systematic section, under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Stăniloae;
- 1976 – 1978 – he studies at the Faculty of Protestant Theology of the University of Humanistic Sciences of Strasbourg (France);
- 1978 – 1980 – he studies at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the “Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany);
- 15 June 1979 – maintains the doctorate thesis at the University of Strasbourg, entitled: Réflexion et vie chrétiennes aujourd’hui. Essai sur le rapport entre la théologie et la spiritualité (424 p).
- 31 October 1980 – an extended version of this thesis, prepared under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Stăniloae, is defended at the Orthodox University Theological Institute of București, with the title: Christian Theology and Spirituality. Relation between them and the present situation;
- 1980 – 1988 – lecturer at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Switzerland;
- 6 August 1987 – he joins the monastic life at Sihăstria Monastery, county of Neamţ, with the name of Daniel, with Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie as monastic god father;
- 14 August 1987 – he is ordained hierodeacon, and hieromonk on 15 August 1987;
- 1988 – he is receives the title of protosyncellus and appointed patriarchal counsellor, director of the Department for “Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue;
- 1988 – he becomes Christian Mission senior lecturer at the Orthodox University Theology Institute of București;
- 12 February 1990 – elected Assistant-Bishop to the Archdiocese of Timişoara, with the title of Lugojanul, and on 4 March 1990 he is ordained hierarch at the Metropolitan Cathedral;
- 7 June 1990 – elected Archbishop of Jassy and Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina;
- 1 July 1990 – enthroned Archbishop of Jassy and Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina;
- 1992 – 2007 – Dogmatic and Pastoral Theology professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Dumitru Stăniloae of Jassy;
- 12 September 2007 – elected as Archbishop of București, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudgea and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church;
- 30 September 2007 – enthroned as Patriarch in the Patriarchal Cathedral of București;
- From 2007 he has been professor of Pastoral Theology at Justinian the Patriarch Faculty of Orthodox Theology of București.
Academic and research activity
1. EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY
a) Founder of Institutions: as Metropolitan at Jassy (1990 – 2007) and Metropolitan Locum Tenens (30 September 2007 – 8 June 2008):
- Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Dumitru Stăniloae, Jassy (1990);
- Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saint Pious Paraskeva, Agapia Monastery;
- Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saint George, Botoşani (1992);
- Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saint John Jacob, Dorohoi (1993);
- Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saint Basil, Jassy (1995);
- Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saints Constantine and Helen, Piatra Neamţ (1996);
- Orthodox Academy of Saint John of Neamţ, Neamţ Monastery (1993);
- Post High School Theological Sanitary School of Saint Theodora from Sihla, Piatra Neamţ (1993);
- Post High School Theological Sanitary of Saint Pious Paraskeva, Jassy (1994);
- Research Metropolitan Centre of T.A.B.O.R., Jassy (1994);
- Pastoral-Cultural Centre of Saint Daniel the Hermit, Durău (1995);
- Ecumenical Library of Dumitru Stăniloae, Jassy (1995);
- Ecumenical Institute of Saint Nicholas, Jassy (1997);
- Memorial Museum of Saint Paisie Velicicovski from Neamţ Monastery (1997);
- TRINITAS Missionary Cultural Institute, Jassy: Publishing House, Printing House (1997) and Radio station (17 April 1998);
- Centre of Conservation and Restoration of Resurrectio Religious Patrimony, Jassy (1998);
- Memorial Museum of Metropolitan Visarion Puiu from Vovidenia Skete – Neamţ (1999);
- Memorial Houses: Archimandrite Paisie Olaru and Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie from Sihăstria Monastery – Neamţ (1999);
- Pilgrimage Centre of Saint Parasckeva, Jassy (2000);
- Museum Gothic Hall of Three Saint Hierarchs Monastery, Jassy (2001);
- Memorial Museum of Saint John Jacob the Hosevite of Crăiniceni – Dorohoi (2003);
- Museum of Lady Anastasia – Gothic Hall of Cetăţuia Monastery (2005);
- Centre of Jerusalem – Hozeva from the Theological Seminary of Veniamin Costachi – Monastery of Neamţ (2005);
- Albina Rotary Printing Press, Jassy (2006);
- TRINITAS TV – Christian Orthodox Television station, set up in Jassy in 2007, transferred to București the same year.
- as Archbishop, Metropolitan and Patriarch in București (since 30 September 2007):
- Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, which includes TRINITAS Radio, TRINITAS TV, Lumina Newspaper, Basilica News Agency, and Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate, București (27 October 2007);
- Initiating, supporting and supervising the construction works of the of People’s Salvation Cathedral (29 November 2007, laying of the foundation stone; February 2011, beginning of works; 25 November 2018, consecration of the Altar);
- Basilica and TRINITAS Publishing Houses of the Romanian Patriarchate, București (2008);
- Pilgrimage Centre of Saint Paul the Apostle of the Romanian Patriarchate, București (2008);
- Cuvântul vieţii Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrudgea, București (2008);
- Reorganization of the Patriarchal Palace as a Conference Centre (2010);
- Saint Constantine Brâncoveanu Heritage Training Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, București (2010);
- Setting up of Pharos Printing House, Popeşti-Leordeni (18 March 2011);
- Memorial House of Archimandrite Arsenie Papacioc from Saint Maria Monastery – Techirghiol, patriarchal stavropegion (2011);
- Modernisation of the Church Books Printing House, București (2012);
- Modernisation of the Holy Synod Library, București (2012);
- Setting up of „Dumitru Stăniloae” National Centre of Permanent Formation of the Romanian Patriarchate (28 October 2012);
- Reorganisation of București Eparchial Centre (location and operation) (2011);
- Establishment of the Orthodox books and church items – Librăria Ortodoxă (2014)
- Museum of Patriarchs in the Patriarchal Residence (2014);
- Museum of Church Art at the Anthim Monastery (2016);
- Museum of Church Art at the Patriarchal Palace (2016);
- Several shops selling books and church objects (9 in București, 2 in Ploiești, 1 in Câmpina, 1 in Urlați);
- Burning Bush (Rugul Aprins) Museum, Anthim Monastery (2017);
Establishment of a university extension of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Justinian the Patriarch of București, in Rome, for the undergraduate level, specialization in Pastoral Theology (first admission session, 21-23 September 2017).
b) Founder of publications:
- Vestitorul Ortodoxiei (Orthodoxy Herald), periodical of church information, theology and spirituality of the Romanian Patriarchate, București (after 22 December 1989) while patriarchal counsellor;
- Teologie şi Viaţă (Theology and Life), magazine of thought and spirituality – former magazine of Metropolitanate of Moldova and Suceava, Jassy (1991);
- Candela Moldovei (Icon Lamp of Moldova), official bulletin of the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bucovina, Jassy (1992);
- Lumina (The Light) newspaper, the first Christian daily publication of Romania, Jassy (February 2005, first publication);
- Vestitorul Ortodoxiei (Orthodoxy Herald), magazine of church information of the Romanian Patriarchate, new series, București (2008).
c) Initiator of projects or collective works of research:
- Istoria Învăţământului Teologic Superior din Moldova şi Bucovina (The History of High Theological Education in Moldova and Bucovina), Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2007;
- Florilegii patristice: Lumina din inimă (Patristic florilegia: Light in the Hearts), Ed. Trinitas Publishing House, Jassy, 2003, 864 pp.; Lumina Sfintelor Scripturi (Light of the Holy Scriptures), Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2007, vol. I, 963 pp., vol. II, 1.046 pp.; Părinţii şi scriitorii bisericeşti, învăţătorii noştri (Fathers of the Church, Our Teachers) (vol. I), I.B.M.O., Bucureşti, 2014, 764 p.; Părinţii şi scriitorii bisericeşti, învăţătorii noştri (Fathers of the Church, Our Teachers) (vol. II), E.I.B.M.O., Bucureşti, 2014, 764 p.;
- Updating of the Statutes of the Romanian Orthodox Church (2007) and of the Regulations for its application;
- Revising Liturghierul (the Priest’s Service Book) (2008 and 2007), Triodul (Triodion) (2010), Molitfelnicul (Book of Needs) (2019), the Akathist Hymns of the Saints and other liturgical texts.
- Studia Basiliana, collection dedicated to the Solemn commemorative year of Saint Basil the Great and of all the Cappadocchian Saints, of Basilica Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate, București, 2009;
- Pridvoare ale Cerului – Mănăstiri şi schituri din Arhiepiscopia Bucureştilor (Monasteries and Sketes of the Archdiocese of Bucharest – Gates of Heaven), Basilica Publishing House, București, 2009;
- Domnitorii şi Ierarhii Ţării Româneşti – Ctitoriile şi mormintele lor (Rulers and hierarchs of Wallachia – Their Foundations and Graves), Ed. Cuvântul vieţii, București, 2009, 1.327 pp.;
- Renewal of the collection entitled Părinţi şi Scriitori Bisericeşti (Church Fathers and Writers)
- Collection of photographs of the Romanian Orthodoxy (site online), București, 2010;
- Enciclopedia Ortodoxiei Româneşti (Encyclopaedia of the Romanian Orthodoxy), publishing house of the Bible and Orthodox Mission, București, 2010, 767 pp.;
- Teologia Ortodoxă în secolul al XX-lea şi la începutul secolului al XXI-lea (Orthodox Theology in the 20th Century and at the Beginning of the 21st century), Ed. Basilica, București, 2011, 859 pp.;
- Ctitoriile Sfântului Voievod Neagoe Basarab (Foundations of Saint Prince Neagoe Basarab), Ed. Cuvântul Vieţii, București, 2012, 247 pp.;
- Sfântul Voievod Neagoe Basarab – ctitor de biserici şi cultură românească (Saint Prince Neagoe Basarab – Founder of Churches and of Romanian Culture), Cuvântul vieţii Publishing House, 2012, 482 pp.;
- Istoricul Facultăţii de Teologie Ortodoxă „Justinian Patriarhul” a Universităţii din Bucureşti 1881-2012, (History of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of “Patriarch Justinian” of the University of Bucharest 1881 – 2012), Ed. Basilica, București, 2013;
- Albums – monographs of the deaneries of the Archdiocese of București, Ed. Basilica București: Deanery III Capital, 2009; Deanery II Capital, 2010; South Ilfov Deanery, 2010; Deanery I Capital, 2011; North Ilfov Deanery, 2012; Ploieşti Deanery (being drafted); Câmpina Deanery, 2014; Urlaţi Deanery (being drafted); Vălenii de Munte Deanery (being drafted);
- Monografii-album ale protopopiatelor (protoieriilor) din Arhiepiscopia Bucureştilor, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti: Protoieria III Capitală, 2009; Protoieria II Capitală, 2010; Protoieria Ilfov Sud, 2010; Protoieria I Capitală, 2011; Protoieria Ilfov Nord, 2012; Protoieria Ploieşti (în curs de redactare); Protoieria Câmpina, 2014; Protoieria Urlaţi (în curs de redactare); Protoieria Vălenii de Munte (în curs de redactare);
- Cateheze pentru viaţă (Catecheses for Life) Project (2012). It targets children, young people, adults and the elderly;
- Dicţionar de Muzică Bisericească Românească (Dictionary of Church Music), Basilica, Bucureşti, 2013;
- Monahismul ortodox românesc. Istorie, contribuţii şi repertorizare (Romanian Orthodox Monasticism. History, contributions and repertorization): volumul 1 – Istoria monahismului ortodox românesc de la începuturi până în prezent, în colaborare cu Academia Română (History of Romanian Orthodox monasticism from its beginnings to the present, in collaboration with the Romanian Academy), Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2014, 1039 p.; volumul 2 – Contribuţii ale monahismului ortodox românesc la nivel naţional şi internaţional, în colaborare cu Academia Română (Cntributions of Romanian Orthodox monasticism at national and international level, in collaboration with the Romanian Academy), Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2016, 1200 p.; volumul 3 in preparation;
- Dicţionarul clericilor şi mirenilor ortodocşi români mărturisitori în detenția comunistă (1945-1964) (Dictionary of Romanian Orthodox Clerics and Lay Romanian Orthodox Confessors in Communist Detention), Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2017;
- Istoria parohiilor din Biserica Ortodoxă Română (12 volume), în curs de elaborare (The History of Parishes in the Romanian Orthodox Church, 12 volumes, in preparation.). The first volume appeared in October 2018 at Basilica, București, 2018;
- Dicţionar de Teologie Ortodoxă (Dictionary of Orthodox Theology) Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019;
- Dicţionar Biblic Ortodox (Orthodox Biblical Dictionary), in preparation;
- Dicţionar de Istoria Religiilor (Dictionary of the History of Religions), forthcoming;
Istoria Bisericii Ortodoxe Române în context internaţional (The History of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the International Context) in preparation.
d) Organiser of symposiums, colloquies, congresses, exhibitions: as Metropolitan of Jassy (1990 – 2007), selective list:
- The first contemporary monastic synaxis of the Archdiocese of Jassy (5-6 September 1990);
- National symposium: Saint Pious Paisie from Neamţ), Neamţ Monastery (1994);
- National symposium: Army and Church Symposium – Basic Institutions of the Romanian Unity and Continuity, Jassy (1996);
- International Jewish – Christian Symposium entitled: Social Morals of the Prophets and the Psalms Spirituality), Durău (1998);
- Symposium: Social Dimension of the Inter-confessional Dialogue, Durău (1999);
- Central Committee of the Conferences of the European Churches, Jassy (2000);
- Illuminism and Hesychasm International Symposium, Durău (2001);
- Metropolitanate of Moldavia 600, Jubilee Scientific Symposium, Jassy (2001);
- International consultation entitled Authority and Authoritative Teaching of the “Faith and Order” Commission of the World Council of Churches, Durău (2002);
- Press National Colloquy the Church in Mass-media and Mass-media in the Church, Durău (2003);
- Symposium: Priest Dumitru Stăniloae – Theologian of the Ecumenical Orthodoxy, Jassy (2003);
- International symposium: Human Rights – Social Dimension and Civic Action, organised in collaboration, Jassy (3 – 5 May 2004);
- Religious Patrimony of Romania – European Spiritual Permanency. Specialisation Courses for the guides of the church museums organised in collaboration, Neamţ Monastery (19 – 26 September 2004);
- Rural Development in Romania – a New Beginning – International conference dedicated to agriculture, organised in collaboration with other institutions, Durău (4 – 5 October 2004);
- Inter-confessional Symposium: The Unchanged Word of God in a Changing World, Jassy (6 October 2004);
- National Symposium: Monument, Tradition and Future, 6th edition, Jassy (7 – 9 October 2004);
- The 12th meeting of the Joint Commission for Orthodox – Lutheran Dialogue, Durău (7 – 13 October 2004);
- International symposium on Aspects of the Spiritual Life in the Southeast of Europe from Prehistory till Mediaeval Period – organised in collaboration, Jassy (18 October 2004);
- International Ecumenical Symposium: Christ with us: value of the liturgical life for today’s society, Durău (9 – 13 May 2005);
- Jewish – Christian International Symposium on Life – divine gift and human responsibility in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Jassy (15 – 19 May 2005);
- International Symposium: Ethnic contacts and cultural interferences in the North and West of the Black Sea from the Greek colonisation till nowadays – Hall of the Romanian Academy, Jassy (13 June 2005);
- Symposium: Church and State in Romania in Eastern Europe Today – in collaboration with the Centre of post-communist studies of “St. Francis Xavier University of Canada”, Jassy (5 – 6 October 2005);
- Exhibition of photographs and icons entitled Eastern Light – in collaboration with the Polish Institute of București, Jassy (19 January 2007);
- Annual conference of the International Academy of Genealogy on A Familial History Abroad – in collaboration with several institutions, Jassy (9 – 13 May 2007);
- Symposium: Dialogue between Theology and Philosophy – in collaboration with the Ministry for Culture and Religious Cults, Durău (15 – 16 June 2007);
- Symposium Human Rights. Spiritual Dimension and Civic Action, Jassy (15-17 June 2007);
- Conference: Ecological Agriculture, a Healthy Saving Alternative, Jassy (4 May 2007);
- Seminary on the Present problems concerning the conservation and rehabilitation of the buildings with historical value, Jassy (18 May 2007);
- as Archbishop, Metropolitan and Patriarch in București (since 30 September 2007), selective list:
- Symposium on the Significance of the War of Independence of 1877 for the Orthodox Peoples in the Balkans, Patriarchate Palace (21 October 2008);
- Symposium on Saint Paul the Apostle, Author of Bible Writings Read at the Divine Liturgy, Patriarchate Palace (23 October 2008);
- Young people, praise the Lord! contest, for choral groups of the Orthodox theological seminaries and faculties of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja (2008);
- National Festival-Competition of Church Music Praise the Lord, annually, since October 2008;
- Exhibition entitled Bible and Liturgy, Patriarchate Palace, (28 October 2008);
- Symposium on Violence in the Family and its Social Consequences, in partnership with the Ministry for Labour, Family and Equal Chances, Patriarchate Palace (11 – 12 December 2008);
- First thematic consultative symposium on The New Patriarchal Cathedral – Cathedral for the People’s Salvation: Architecture, Structure, and Cultural Utility, Patriarchate Palace (15 December 2008);
- International symposium on Dignity and Justice for Everybody, Patriarchate Palace (13 December 2008);
- Solemn meeting, organized together with The Romanian Presidency and the Romanian Academy, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of The Unification of the Romanian Principalities (24 January 1859), Patriarchal Palace, 23 January 2009;
- Anniversary symposium entitled Meeting in the Resurrection Light organised on the occasion of the anniversary of 10 years since the visit of Pope John Paul II to Romania, Patriarchate Palace (7 May 2009);
- The 3rd edition of the Symposium on The Dialogue between Theology and Philosophy on the theme Significance of the Universe and Value of Human Life – a Necessary Way for Understanding Life, București (14 – 15 May 2009);
- Consultation on the theme Social Assistance at Local Level – in collaboration with the World Council of Churches, București (18 May 2009);
- Inter-religious symposium on Diaspora – a reality of the present society, Patriarchate Palace, (29 – 30 May 2012);
- The 2nd thematic consultative symposium on the New Patriarchal Cathedral – Cathedral for the People’s Salvation: Architecture, Structure, and Cultural Utility, Patriarchate Palace (26 June 2009);
- The 2nd National Congress entitled Christ Shared with the Children, Brâncoveanu Monastery – Sâmbăta de Sus, County of Braşov (1 – 3 September 2009);
- The session of scientific communications on the theme Romanian Christianity and church organisation in the 13th – 14th centuries, Saint Panteleimon Settlement in Lacu Sărat Spa, County of Brăila (28 – 29 September 2009);
- International Congress of Theology dedicated to Saint Basil the Great, Patriarchate Palace (1-4 November 2009);
- International Conference for promoting dialogue in the field of social inclusion, Patriarchate Palace (17 – 18 November 2009);
- The 3rd consultative Symposium concerning the project of The New Patriarchal Cathedral, București, Patriarchate Palace (9 – 10 December 2009);
- Colloquy on the theme Word of God of the International Academy of Religious Sciences, Patriarchate Palace (26 – 28 August 2020);
- The 3rd national Congress entitled Christ shared with the Children, Patriarchate Palace (2 September 2010)
- The 4th edition of the National Congress of the Faculties of Orthodox Theology of the Romanian Patriarchate, Patriarchate Palace (27 – 28 September 2010);
- Conference: Global platform for theological reflection 2010. Unity and mission today: confessions and opinions of the marginalized, organized at the Patriarchate Palace in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (6 October 2010);
- Conference: Father Teofil – Father Confessor of Joy, Patriarchate Palace (8 December 2010);
- Conference: Migration Policies in Time of Economic Crisis, Patriarchate Palace (17 June 2011);
- Symposium: The Archaeology of Faith. Archaeological Research at Churches of Bucharest and Surroundings, Patriarchate Palace (3 October 2011);
- International Congress of Theology: The Christian Family, a blessing for the Church and society, Patriarchate Palace (1-3 November 2011);
- Conference: Medicine and Spirituality – a Multi-disciplinary Analysis of the Aged Patient, Patriarchal Palace (19 – 20 April 2012);
- International symposium dedicated to The Sacrament of the Holy Unction and Taking Care of the Sick, Patriarchate Palace (15 – 16 May 2012);
- The contest The Orthodox Icon – Light of the Faith, Patriarchate Palace (21 May 2012);
- The conference: the Revival of the Spirit of Inter-aid and Solidarity – to a Lasting Rural Development, Patriarchate Palace (31 October and 1 November 2012);
- Solemn session, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, dedicated to the anniversary of the Unification of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (24 January 1859), Patriarchal Palace (24 January 2013);
- International Theological Congress Saints Sovereigns Constantine and Helen – Promoters of Religious Freedom and Defenders of the Church, in the Aula Magna Teoctist the Patriarch of the Patriarchal Palace (21-24 May 2013);
- International Congress the Reception of the Work of Father Dumitru Stăniloae Today, Patriarchal Palace (October 3-4, 2013);
- Session of scientific communications under the title Secularization of ecclesiastical property (1863). Motivations and Consequences, organized by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Romanian Academy, in the Aula magna Teoctist Patriarch of the Patriarchal Palace (12 November 2013);
- Commemorative moment Father Cleopa – 15 years since his passing to the Lord (1998-2013) – Patriarchal Palace (2 December 2013);
- Solemn session, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, dedicated to the 155th anniversary of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (24 January 1859) – Patriarchal Palace (24 January 2014);
- The National Theological Symposium Constantin Brâncoveanu and his Contribution to the Enhancement of the Cultural, Educational, Spiritual and Social-philanthropic Heritage of Wallachia in the European context of the 18th century, Patriarchal Palace (22 – 23 May 2014);
- International Theological Congress the Meanings and Importance of the Holy Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion in Contemporary Orthodox Theology, Spirituality and Mission,Patriarchal Palace (5 – 8 October 2014);
- Solemn Session, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, dedicated to the 156thanniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities (24 January 1859) – Patriarchal Residence, Holy Synod Hall (24 January 2015);
- National Symposium on Christian Pedagogy – Landmarks of Christian Education in the Theology of St. John Chrysostom Updated in the Relationship Church – Family – School in the Contemporary Context, Dumitru Stăniloae Centre (28 April 2015);
- International Theological Congress the Relationship between Parish and School in the Life and Mission of the Church in the Contemporary Context, Dumitru Stăniloae Centre (19-21 October, 2015);
- International Congress of Theology the Religious Education of Young People in the Context of Current Secularization, Patriarchal Palace (3-7 September, 2016);
- International Theological Congress the Life of the Orthodox Churches under Communism – Persecution, Resistance and Confession, Patriarchal Palace (23-29 October, 2017);
- The session of scientific communications, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, entitled the Union of the Romanian Principalities, the foundation of the Great Union of 1918, Patriarchal Palace (January 24 2018); Patriarchal Palace (24 January 2018);
- The Symposium the Metropolis Hill of Bucharest in the History of the Romanian People, Patriarchal Palace (17 April 2018);
- National Theological Congress Ecclesial Unity and National Unity. Historical and Theological Aspects, Patriarchal Palace (22-23 May 2018);
- National Conference Dogmatic Unity and National Specificity in Church Painting, 6th edition, with the theme National Church Patrimony, living testimony of the unity of faith and nation, Patriarchal Palace (29 May 2018);
- Rural socio-economic space. Identity and national unity, conference organized by the Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences of București (ASAS) and the Romanian Patriarchate, Patriarchal Palace (12 November 2018);
- The session of scientific communications, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, entitled the Union of the Romanian Principalities, Basis of the Modern Romanian State, Patriarchal Palace (24 January 2019);
- International Conference on the Relations between the State and Religious Affairs in the European Union, Patriarchal Palace (7 June 2019);
- The National Conference Dogmatic Unity and National Specificity in Church Painting, 7th edition, Patriarchal Palace (10 June 2019);
- Conference Faith and Health in the Romanian Village, Patriarchal Palace (21 June 2019);
- The National Theological Symposium the Romanian Village: Hearth of the Growing, Preservation and Promotion of the National Being and the Orthodox Faith, Patriarchal Palace, București (6-9 October 6-9 2019);
- The session of scientific communications, organized jointly with the Romanian Academy, entitled The Union of the Romanian Principalities: achievement, recognition and benefits (23 January 2020).
2. SCIENTIFIC AND PUBLICIST ACTIVITY
Volumes:
a) Published:
- Atât de mult a iubit Dumnezeu lumea… . 12 Scrisori pastorale de Crăciun şi Paşti, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 1996, 97 pp.;
- Confessing the Truth in Love: Orthodox Perceptions on Life, Mission and Unity, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2001, 258 pp.;
- Dăruire și dăinuire. Raze și chipuri de lumină din istoria și spiritualitatea românilor, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2005, 439 p.;
- Daruri de Crăciun – înțelesuri ale sărbătorii Nașterii Domnului, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2005, 138 pp.;
- Brâncuși. Sculptor Christian Orthodox, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2007, 88 pp.;
- Comori ale Ortodoxiei. Explorări în spiritualitatea liturgică şi filocalică, Ed. Trinitas, Jassy, 2007, 450 pp.;
- Făclii de Înviere – Înţelesuri ale Sfintelor Paşti, Ed. Basilica, București, 2008, 184 pp.;
- Foame şi sete după Înţelesul şi folosul postului, Ed. Basilica, București, 2008, 220 pp.;
- La joie de la fidélité, Cerf, Paris, 2009, 432 pp.;
- Teologie şi spiritualitate, București, Ed. Basilica, 2009, 318 pp.;
- Misiune pentru mântuire. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate, Basilica, București, 2009, 922 pp.;
- Libertate pentru comuniune. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2009, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2010, 787 pp.;
- Credinţă pentru fapte bune. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2010, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2011, 458 pp.;
- Lumina Botezului şi bucuria familiei. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2011, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2012, 469 pp.;
- Semne de speranţă. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2012, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2013, 565 pp.;
- Daruri de Crăciun – înţelesuri ale sărbătorii Naşterii Domnului, ediţia a II-a, revizuită şi adăugită, Basilica, Bucureşti, 2013, 239 pp.;
- Comuniune şi înnoire misionară. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2013, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2014, 717 pp.;
- Făclii de înviere – înţelesuri ale Sfintelor Paşti, ediţia a IV-a, revizuită şi adăugită, Basilica, Bucharest, 2014, 304 pp.;
- Ştiinţa mântuirii – Vocaţia mistică şi misionară a teologiei, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2014, 334 pp.;
- Iubirea Jertfelnică – lumină a Învierii. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2014, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2015, 799 pp.;
- Ομολογοuντες τις Αληθεια εν Αγαπη (Mărturisind adevărul în iubire), în lb. greacă de Pr. Dimitrios Fourlemadis, Ed. Επταλοφος, Atena, 2015, 368 pp.;
- Misiunea parohiei şi a mănăstirii azi. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2015, Basilica, Bucureşti, 2016, 642 pp.;
- Evanghelia slavei lui Hristos. Predici la Duminicile de pe an, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2016, 512 pp.;
- Bucuria comuniunii şi dinamica misiunii creştine. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2016, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2017, 752 pp.;
- Învățătura Ortodoxă despre Sfintele Icoane, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2017, 75 pp.;
- Slujirea Bisericii – jertfelnicie şi bucurie. Interviu acordat TVR, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2018, 54 pp.;
- Lumina Sfintelor icoane şi jertfa apărătorilor Ortodoxiei. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2017, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2018, 832 p.;
- Cuvinte ale credinţei, lumini pentru viaţă. Florilegiu tematic, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2018, 79 pp.;
- Unitate națională şi dinamică pastorală. Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2018, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019, 768 ;
- Satul Românesc, creator şi păstrător de artă creştină populară, Ed. Basilica, Bucharest, 2019, 31 pp.;
- Satul Românesc. Izvor de spiritualitate şi cultură populară, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019, 144 pp.;
- Unire şi demnitate. Rolul Bisericii în realizarea şi păstrarea idealului unităţii naţionale, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019, 191 pp.;
- Credinţa şi Educaţia. Principalele lumini ale vieţii, Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019, 542 pp.;
- Biserica binecuvintează Universitatea. Cultivarea unei comuniuni de valori ale umanităţii inteligente şi înţelepte, Basilica, Bucureşti, 2019, 544 pp.;
- Omagierea satului românesc şi evocarea patriarhilor cărturari: Lucrarea Bisericii în societate în anul 2019, Ed. Basilica, Bucureşti, 2020, 573 pp..
b) Upcoming works:
- Spaţiul mântuirii. Biserica – arvuna vieţii veşnice, Ed. Basilica;
- Réflexion et vie chrétiennes aujourd’hui. Essai sur le rapport entre la théologie et la spiritualité, Basilica;
- Wort, Geist und ewiges Leben. Akzente der orthodoxen Theologie und Spiritualität, Basilica.
c) Translations:
- Stăniloae, Pr. Dumitru – Le génie de l’Orthodoxie. Introduction, Et. Desclée de Brouwer, Paris, 1985, col. Théophanie, 144 pp..
d) Other works:
- over 60 brochures;
- over 1000 articles, studies, speeches, prefaces in Romanian;
- 45 studies and articles in French;
- 35 studies and articles in English;
- 20 studies and articles in German;
- 14 studies and articles in other languages.
He has participated in over 200 national and international symposia, congresses, conferences, colloquia and meetings.
Missionary and Social Activity
1. Initiator, supporter and coordinator of cultural, educational and social programs: Jassy, as Metropolitan (1990-2007) and Deputy Metropolitan (30 September 2007 – 8 June 2008):
- Consolidation and restoration of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Jassy, initiated in 1995;
- Enrolment of Jassy in the international pilgrimage Program Pilgrim 2000, together with three other European cities (2000);
- Study trip to Greece organized by a group of professors from the Dumitru Stăniloae Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Jassy (2001);
- Study pilgrimage to Constantinople and Asia Minor carried out by a group of professors from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Dumitru Stăniloae in Jassy (2003);
- A pilgrimage to Mount Athos by a group of monks from the Sihăstria Monastery and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Jassy (May 2003);
- Romania’s religious heritage – spiritual permanence. Training courses for guides and museographers of ecclesiastical museums, Neamț Monastery (19-26 September 2004);
- Ecclesial English language courses at Nicholas Ecumenical Institute – Jassy;
- Rural Development and Financing Program, Jassy (2005);
- Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt by a group of professors from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Dumitru Stăniloae in Jassy (February 2006);
- Christ Shared with Children – international catechetical project in partnership with the World Vision organization (2006);
- Training course for the staff of religious museums in Romania, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, Jassy (19 June – 1 July 2006);
- Constitution of the Missionary Consultative Council of the Archdiocese of Jassy, Diocesan Centre Jassy (17 June 2006);
- For the enrichment of the fruits of the earth. Programs in Agriculture and Forestry for the development and support of economic activity in the monasteries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Bistrița Monastery (June 23, 2006);
- Training course for priests to access European funds, in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Rural Development Jassy (2-6 October 2006);
- Study trip to Egypt and Jordan organized by a group of professors from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Dumitru Stăniloae in Jassy (February 2007);
- Modernization of the printing press at Golia Monastery, Jassy (2007-2008);
- Organization of the new Radio Trinitas studio in the premises of the Diocesan Centre Jassy (7 June 2008).
- Bucharest, as Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja and Patriarch of Romania (2007 - present):
- Protocol of Cooperation of the Romanian Orthodox Church with the Romanian Government in the field of social inclusion, in particular to help disadvantaged people (2 October 2007);
- Protocol of cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health on the partnership Medical and Spiritual Assistance (24 July 2008);
- National project Hristos împărtăşit copiilor (Christ shared with children) – children’s catechesis program in every parish (2008);
- The socio-educational project Alege școala! (Choose School!) aimed at preventing and fighting school dropout, in cooperation with the international organization World Vision (2009);
- Social Enterprises Project for the social integration of ex-prisoners, in cooperation with the Filantropia Federation and the National Penitentiary Administration (2009);
- Project Integration into the labour market for trafficked persons, in collaboration with the FilantropiaFederation, the Centre Partnership for Equality (applicant) and five partner organizations in Italy (2009);
- Protocol on the partnership between the Romanian Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of Bucharest and the Local Council of the City Hall of Sector 1 of Bucharest, concerning the construction of churches, the restoration of places of worship and the development of social activities (13 June 2008);
- Protocol on the partnership between the Romanian Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of Bucharest and the Local Council of the City Hall of Sector 2 of Bucharest, regarding the construction of churches, the restoration of places of worship and the development of social activities (16 June 2010);
- Annual agreements concluded with the Bucharest City Hall for the consolidation of places of worship that are historical monuments and for the completion of works started on places of worship in Bucharest;
- Social and pastoral program in times of economic crisis (Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, 7 July 2010);
- Measures to support priests’ families in poor parishes (Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, 7 July 2010);
- Project Territorial Network of Christian Social Service Providers – strategic partners in the field of social inclusion, in collaboration with the Filantropia Federation and the International Organization for Orthodox Christian Charity – IOCC (2010);
- The socio-educational project Alegea Școala! (Choose School!), extended nationwide with the aim of preventing and combating school drop-out, in cooperation with World Vision (1 September 2010);
- Together for Better Social Services project in collaboration with the Filantropia Federation and IOCC (10 November 2010);
- Financing protocol with the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs (November 16, 2010 and 1 April 2013);
- FORTE Project – Training for Social Partnership (15 March 2011);
- Protocol with the Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on collaboration for the use of schools closed by amalgamation in the interest of pupils (24 April 2012);
- Protocol on cooperation with the Department for Romanians Abroad (16 October 2012);
- Protocol of cooperation with the Ministry of Public Finance in order to ensure compliance with Law No. 103/1992 on the exclusive right of cults to produce objects of worship (20 November 2012);
- Protocol with the National Administration of Penitentiaries (Ministry of Justice) on ensuring Orthodox religious assistance in the National Administration of Penitentiaries System (26 March 2013);
- Cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the promotion of Romanian villages (13 May 2013);
- Cooperation protocol with Romanian Television for the promotion of culture and national identity (26 September 2013) and renewed in 2017;
- Protocol with the Ministry of National Education and the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs regarding the teaching of the subject Religion – Orthodox worship in pre-university education and the organization of pre-university and university Orthodox theological education (29 May 2014);
- Donate blood, save a life! – project approved by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church (28-29 October 2014);
- Sănătate pentru sate (Health for Villages) Program – Protocol between the Ministry of Health and the Romanian Patriarchate to improve health care in villages (3 September 2015);
- Protocol with representatives of Carrefour Romania in order to expand the social-philanthropic program Masa Bucuriei (Meal of Joy) (10 February 2016);
- Protocol – Cooperation Framework between the City Hall of Sector 2 of Bucharest, the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest (14 August 2017);
- Protocol of cooperation between the Romanian Patriarchate and the Romanian Television Company (SRTv) for the promotion of national values, culture and identity (29 November 29 2017);
- Protocol of cooperation between the Romanian Patriarchate and the Ministry for Romanians Abroad, in order to support Romanian communities outside the country’s borders, for the preservation of ethnic, cultural and religious identity (17 July 2018);
- Agreement signed between the Romanian Patriarchate and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the establishment of measures on the occasion of the Easter Holidays, in the context of the State of Emergency (15 April 2020);
- Protocol of collaboration between the Romanian Patriarchate and the Romanian Gendarmerie for joint actions of the two institutions in the social, cultural and charitable fields (4 September 2020);
- Protocol of collaboration between the Romanian Patriarchate, Babeș-Bolyai University, World VisionRomania Foundation and Consult Plus Society in order to realize and promote common objectives in the social field, subscribed to the public education for the prevention and fighting against school dropout.
2. SOCIAL-PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES
Founder of institutions as Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina:
- Panteleimon Dental Clinic, Jassy (1993);
- Association of Orthodox Doctors and Pharmacists of Romania, AMFOR, Jassy (1993);
- Canteens for the poor in Jassy, Pașcani, Dorohoi, Hârlău (1993-1995);
- Pelerinul Christian Association, Jassy (1996);
- Polyclinic dispensary Saints Apostles Peter and Paul, Jassy (1998);
- Providența Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Jassy (2000);
- Albina candle factory, Jassy – 2001 (financial source of these activities);
- Providența II Medical Education and Information Centre, Jassy (2002);
- Diaconia Social and Charitable Institute, Jassy (2003);
- Solidaritate şi Speranţă Foundation, Jassy (2002);
- Paisius of Neamț Social and Cultural Centre, Neamț Monastery (2004);
- Ilie (St. Elijah) Social and Cultural Centre, Miclăușeni Monastery (2005).
Founder or initiator of institutions as Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (from 2007 to present):
- The new candle factory Făclia Sfintilor Români, Bucharest, 28 October 2008 (financial source of these activities);
- Administrative organization of the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions, Brussels, Belgium (2009);
- John Jacob Centre for Biblical Studies and Pilgrimages of the Romanian Settlement of Jericho (2009);
- Centre of Dionysius the Exiguus in Calabria, within the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy;
- Centre for Orthodox Studies Dumitru Stăniloae (Theology, Spirituality, Culture), the first in Paris, within the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Paris, the second within the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation in Brussels and the third in Vienna (Romanian Orthodox Chapel);
- The Pastoral-Missionary and Social Welfare Center in Gyula, within the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary;
- The socio-educational project Alege școala! (Choose School), with the aim of preventing and combating school drop-out (20 June 2009);
- The Romanian Patriarchate’s food aid program Masa Bucuriei (Meal of Joy) (2009);
- Apostle Andrew Social and Cultural Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, Bucharest (2008);
- Social-pastoral Centre Sfânta Maria – Techirghiol, of the Romanian Patriarchate (2008);
- Social-pastoral Centre of the Holy Great Prophet Elijah the Tishbite – Călimănești (2008);
- Great Martyr Panteleimon Social-Medical Centre – Olănești (2008);
- The modernization of the Panteleimon – Techirghiol, of the Romanian Patriarchate (2009 and 2017-2018);
- Social and Cultural Centre Miron Patriarhul – Dragoslavele, of the Romanian Patriarchate, Argeș County (2009);
- Sfânta Treime (Holy Trinity) Social-Pastoral Centre – Bușteni, Bucharest Archdiocese (2008);
- Hierarch Calinic of Cernica Social-Cultural Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, CernicaMonastery (2008);
- Iustin the Patriarch Social-Cultural Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Bucharest (2008);
- Spyridon – Old Social and Medical Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Bucharest (May 16, 2009);
- Stelian Day Care Centre for Children (Bucuria Ajutorului Foundation) of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Urlați branch (2011);
- Social-pastoral Centre Holy Cross of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Caraiman Monastery (20 July 2012);
- Hierarch Nectarios Social-Cultural Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Radu VodăMonastery, Bucharest (2012);
- Nectarios Palliative Care Centre of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Bucharest (2012);
- Day Care Centre for Children Holy Martyr Sophia of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Bucharest (2012);
- Residential Centre for the Elderly Saint Sylvester of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Bucharest (2013);
- The Family Cultural Missionary Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, Pantelimon, Ilfov County (2014);
- Hierarch Nectarios Sanitary Post-Secondary School of the Orthodox Theological Seminary Nifon Mitropolitul, Bucharest (2016).
Supporter of:
- Asociaţia Studenţilor Creştini Ortodocşi din România (Association of Orthodox Christian Students of Romania) – ASCOR;
- Frăţia Ortodoxă Română (Romanian Orthodox Brotherhood) – FOR;
- Societatea (Naţională) Ortodoxă a Femeilor din România – filiala Jassy (National Orthodox Women’s Society of Romania – Jassy branch) – SNFOR;
- Liga Tineretului Ortodox Român (Romanian Orthodox Youth League) – LTOR;
- Asociaţia Opera Teologică Ortodoxă (Association of Orthodox Theological Opera) – AOTO;
- Asociaţia Părinţi pentru Ora de Religie (Association of Parents for Religious Education) – APOR;
- Asociaţiei Juriştilor Ortodocşi (Association of Orthodox Jurists) – AJO.
3. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LITURGICAL AND MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES
a) Presentation of the relics of saints and holy relics in Jassy:
- 1992 – a fragment of the wood of the Holy Cross which is kept in the Xeropotamou Monastery on Mount Athos (Greece);
- 1996 – The Holy Head of St. Andrew the Apostle, Patras (Greece);
- 2000 – the relics of St. Great Martyr George, Livadia (Greece);
- 2000 – the relics of St. Hierarch Basil the Great and St. Gregory the Theologian, Bucharest;
- 2001 – the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Bridle, Volos (Greece);
- 2002 – relics of St. John Cassian, Marseille (France);
- 2003 – the relics of St. Demetrius, the Myrrh-gusher, Thessaloniki (Greece);
- 2004 – fragment of the wood of the Holy Cross preserved in the Monastery of Panaghia Soumela, Veria (Greece);
- 2005 – relics of St. Paul the Apostle, Veria (Greece);
- 2006 – the relics of St. Nectarios of Aegina (Greece);
2007 – the relics of St. John Chrysostom, Meteora (Greece).
b) Presentation of the relics of saints in Bucharest:
- 2008 – resumed the tradition of the Palm Sunday Pilgrimage to the major cities within the Archdiocese of Bucharest;
- 2008 – the relics of Apostle Paul, Veria (Greece);
- 2008 – the relics of Sophronius, Patriarch of Constantinople, Corinth (Greece);
- 2009 (29 and 30 April) – the relics of Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki;
- 2009 (Feast of Pious Demetrius the New, Patron of Bucharest) – the relics of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea Cappadocia, from the patrimony of the Holy Synod of Greece (Athens);
- 2010 – fragment of the wood of the Holy Cross, Metropolitan of Drama (Greece);
- 2011 – The Blessed Head of St. Andrew the Apostle, Metropolitanate of Patras (Greece);
- 2012 – the relics of St. Hierarch Nectarios the Healer of Illnesses, Aegina (Greece);
- 2013 – fragment of the relics of Saint Empress Helena and Icon of Saint Sovereign Constantine the Great (Corinth, Greece);
- 2014 – fragment of the Wood of the Holy Cross, framed in an icon of Saints Sovereign Constantine and Helen, brought by His Beatitude Theophilus III, Patriarch of Jerusalem;
- 2015 (16 October) – the relics of St. Mary Magdalene, Simonopetra Monastery (Holy Mount Athos);
- 2015 (23-28 October) – the relics of the Holy Three Hierarchs from the Monastery of Paul, (Holy Mount Athos);
- 2016 (22-27 October) – the relics of Stephen Apostle, First Martyr and Archdeacon;
- 2017 (1-9 March) – Icon of Our Lady of Jordan, on the occasion of the events organized by the IcoanaParish, 2nd Capital Deanery, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy;
- 2017 (27 April) – a fragment of the relics of Anthony the Great, from the Monastery of Saint-Antoine, France;
- 2017 (Feast of Pious Demetrius the New, Patron of Bucharest) – the relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, brought by Patriarch Kiril of Moscow and All Russia;
- 2018 (23-26 November – Consecration of the Altar of the National Cathedral) – The Blessed Hand of St. Andrew the Apostle, the First Called, Patron of Romania, brought by a delegation of the Metropolitanate of Patra (Greece);
- 2018 (29 November) – fragment of the relics of John Jacob the Chozebite from Neamț, brought as a gift by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophil III of Jerusalem for the National Cathedral;
- 2019 (12 October) – the relics (right hand) of Hierarch Spyridon, Bishop of Trimitunda, the Wonderworker, brought to Romania on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Pious Paraskeva of Jassy, venerated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest (between 07:00-14:00).
- 2019 (25-29 October) – the relics of Saint Hierarch Dionysius, Bishop of Cetatea Albă and of Saint Filofteia of Curtea de Argeș, brought to Bucharest on the occasion of the feast day of the Patriarchal Cathedral (Feast of Saint Demetrius the New, Patron of Bucharest).
c) Missionary activities: - Jassy, as Metropolitan (1990-2007) and Deputy Metropolitan (30 September 2007 - 8 June 2008):
- The program: No village without a church;
- Established over 300 parishes, 40 monasteries and hermitages, 5 deaneries and initiated and supported the construction of over 250 new churches;
- Ordained over 600 priests;
- Bucharest, as Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (2007 - present):
- 29 November 2007 – laid the foundation stone for the People’s Salvation Cathedral, dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord and Andrew the Apostle;
- May-October 2008 – restoration of the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen;
- 2008-2011 – extensive renovation of the Patriarchal Residence and construction of an enclosure wall (1,000 meters);
- 2009 – the elevation of six dioceses to the rank of Archdioceses (Arad, Argeș, Buzău, Galați, Râmnic and Roman);
- Reorganization of the Romanian Orthodox Diaspora, by establishing new dioceses (Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia, Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal, Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe – all on 22-23 October 2007), or establishing parishes in more distant countries where Romanians have arrived in greater numbers in recent years (Japan, Syria);
- 2009 – the establishment of the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara, with residence in Deva municipality and jurisdiction in Hunedoara county;
- 2010 – The consecration of the Great Myrrh at the Romanian Patriarchate;
- 2016 – participation in the Synaxis of the Primates and Representatives of the Autocephalous Orthodox Sister Churches, held at the Orthodox Centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva (22-27 January 2016);
- 2016 – participation in the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, held in Crete, Greece (16-26 June);
- 04 September 2016 – first Divine Liturgy celebrated on the construction site of the Cathedral of the People’s Salvation Cathedral;
- 28-30 October 2016 – elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas to the rank of Metropolis and establishment of the Diocese of Canada;
- 16 March 2017 – the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of John the Baptist andSaints Sovereigns Constantine and Helen in Zagreb, Croatia;
- 03 September 2018 – consecration of the bells of the People’s Salvation Cathedral;
- 15 September 2018 – laying the foundation stone of the Church of the Romanian Heroes, Bucegi Plateau;
- 25 April 2019 – Consecration of the Great Myrrh at the Romanian Patriarchate;
- 11 March 2020 – the composition of the Special Prayer for the cessation of the new epidemic (Coronavirus/Covid-19) to be read by the hierarch or priest before the Otpust of the Church services;
- 12 March 2020 – approval of the Guidelines of the Chancellery of the Holy Synod to parishes and monasteries for observance of certain measures to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus (Covid-19);
- 08 April 2020 – approval of the Guidelines of the Chancellery of the Holy Synod on the services of the Holy Week of the Holy Communion (Holy Week of the Holy Passion) and Holy Easter, in the conditions of the State of Emergency, generated by the pandemic with the new Coronavirus;
- 14 May 2020 – approval of the Church Guidelines for the State of Alert, generated by the New Coronavirus pandemic.
d) Canonizations of new Romanian saints, anniversaries and commemorations in the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina:
- 1992 – the proclamation of the canonization of the Blessed Prince Stephen the Great and Holy Hierarch Leontie of Rădăuți, Saint Daniil the Hermit of Voroneț, Saint Theodora of Sihla, Saint John Jacob of Neamț, Saint Antipa of Calapodești;
- 1992 – 350 years since the Synod of Jassy (1642);
- 1997 – Jubilee of the Monastery of Neamț – 500 years since the consecration of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord (UNESCO Monument);
- 2000 – Jubilee – 2000 years of Christianity (International pilgrimage to Jassy);
- Jubilee of Bistrița Monastery – 600 years of existence;
- 2001 – Colloquium 600 years since the recognition of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1401;
- 360 years since the relics of St. Paraskeva were brought to Jassy;
- 2002 – The 360th anniversary of the Synod of Jassy (1642) and the Proclamation, in Jassy, on 13 October 2012, of the canonization of Saint Hierarch Petru Movilă (canonized in 1996 by the Church of Ukraine and recognized in 1997 by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church);
- 2003 – 1690th anniversary of the Edict of Milan (313);
- Colloquium 280 years since the death of the Voivode Dimitrie Cantemir;
- 100 years since the birth (1903) and 10 years since the death of Pr. Prof. Dumitru Stăniloae (in 1993);
- 2004 – 500th anniversary of the repose of Saint Stephen the Great (1504);
- 2005 – proclamation of the canonization of Saint Hierarch Dosoftei, Metropolitan of Moldavia;
- September 8-9, 2005 – Proclamation of the canonization of Pious Onouphrios of Vorona;
- 30 August 2007 – Proclamation of the canonization of Metropolitan Varlaam of Moldova.
e) Canonizations of new Romanian saints, anniversaries and commemorations in the Romanian Patriarchate:
2007
- Canonization of the Holy Martyrs and Confessors of Năsăud ( 22-24 October 2007);
2008
- Proclamation of the canonization of the Holy Martyrs and Confessors of Năsăud (11 May 2008);
- Canonization (8 July 2008) and proclamation of the canonization of the following saints: Saint Pious Dionysius Exiguus, the the Voievde Neagoe Basarab and Metropolitan Iachint of the Romanian Country (26 October 2008);
- Proclamation of the Homage Year of the Holy Scriptures and the Divine Liturgy;
- 130 years since the War of Independence (1877-1878);
- Canonization (6 March 2008) and proclamation of the canonization of 9 saints from Neamț: Saint Piuous John of Râșca and Secu, Simeon and Amfilohie of Pângărați, Rafael and Partenie of Agapia Veche, Iosif and Chiriac of Bisericani, Chiriac of Tazlău, Iosif de la Văratec (Neamț Monastery, 5 June 2008);
- Inclusion in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of St. Athanasius Patelarius III, Patriarch of Constantinople (27 March 2008);
2009
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Cappadocian Fathers;
- Fraternal visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and to Cappadocia – Turkey (27 May – 2 June 2009);
- Proclamation of Parents and Children Sunday, the first Sunday after 1 June, International Children’s Day;
- Canonization of Saint Ioanichie cel Nou of Muscel (19 June 2009);
- 150th anniversary of the Union of the Principalities (24 January 1859), together with the Romanian Presidency and the Romanian Academy (Palace of the Patriarchate, 23 January 2009);
- The local proclamation (Curtea de Argeș) of the canonization of Saint Neagoe Basarab, Saint Hierarch Iachint, Metropolitan of the Wallachia, and Saint Ioanichie cel Nou of Muscel (26 September 2009);
- Romanian Migrants’ Sunday, celebrated on the first Sunday after 15 August each year;
2010
- Proclamation of the Homage Year of the Orthodox Creed and Romanian Autocephaly: 1,685 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325-2010); 125 years since the recognition of the Autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church (1885-2010);
- 85th anniversary of the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate (4 February 2010);
2011
- Proclamation of the Year of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- Canonization (29 October 2010) and proclamation of the canonization of Saint Irodion of Lainici (1 May 2010);
- Canonization (21 July 2011) and proclamation of the canonization of Saint Hierarch Andrei Șaguna, Metropolitan of Transylvania (29 October 2011);
- Canonization (21 July 2011) and proclamation of the canonization of Saint Hierarch Simeon Ștefan, Metropolitan of Transylvania (30 October 2011);
2012
- Proclamation of the Year of the Holy Unction and Care of the Sick in the Romanian Patriarchate;
2013
- Proclamation of the Homage Year of Saints Constantine and Helen in the Romanian Patriarchate and of the Dumitru Stăniloae Commemorative Year in the theological schools of the Romanian Patriarchate;
- Inclusion in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of Hierarch Luke of the Crimea;
2014
- Proclamation of the Eucharistic Homage Year (of Holy Confession and Holy Communion) and of the Commemorative Year of the Holy Brancovan Martyrs in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- Inclusion in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Ephrem the New (22 May 2014);
2015
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Mission of Parishes and Monasteries and the Commemorative Year of St. John Chrysostom and the Great Shepherds of Souls of the Dioceses in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- Inclusion in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Paisius the Athonite (3 June 2015);
- Inclusion in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of St. George of Drama (28 October 2015);
2016
- Proclamation of the Homage Year of Religious Education of the Orthodox Christian Youth and the Commemorative Year of St. Hierarch Martyr Anthim the Iberian and Church printing workers in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- The canonization (25 February 2016) and the proclamation of the canonization of Saints Neofit and Meletie of Stânișoara and Saints Daniil and Misail of Turnu, Râmnicu-Vâlcea (28 September 2016;
2017
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Holy Icons, Iconmakers and Church Painters and the Commemorative Year of Justinian the Patriarch and Defenders of Orthodoxy during Communism in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- The canonization (6 June 2016) and the solemn proclamation of the canonization of Saint Metropolitan Jacob Putneanul and the Saints Sila, Paisie and Nathan, at Putna Monastery (14 May 2017);
- Inclusion in the ecclesiastical calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church of Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia (4 July 2017);
- The canonization (4 July 2017) and solemn proclamation of the canonization of Saint Pafnutie – Pârvu Zugravu, at Robaia Monastery (6 August 2017);
- Canonization of Saint Iosif cel Milostiv, Metropolitan of Moldavia and Saint Gheorghe Pelerinul;
2018
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Unity of Faith and Nation and the Commemorative Year of the Makers of the Great Union of 1918 in the Romanian Patriarchate;
- Proclamation of the Canonization of Saint Iosif cel Milostiv, Metropolitan of Moldavia and Saint George the Pilgrim (Jassy, 25 March 2018);
- Canonization of Saint Bishop Dionysius Erhan (25 October 2018);
2019
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Romanian Village (of priests, teachers and mayors known as householders) and the Commemorative Year of Patriarchs Nicodim Munteanu and Justin Moisescu and of translators of ecclesiastical books;
- Proclamation of the canonization of Saint Bishop Dionysius Erhan (Bucharest, 27 October 2019);
2020
- Proclamation of the Commemorative Year of the Pastorship of Parents and Children and the Commemorative Year of Romanian Orthodox Philanthropists in the Romanian Patriarchate.
Academic and research activities and responsibilities. Honours, titles and awards received
1. ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- 1980-1988 – lecturer at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva, and associate professor in Geneva and Fribourg (Switzerland);
- 1988 (1 September) – 1990, Patriarchal Counsellor, Director of the Sector for Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue;
- 1988-1990, lecturer at the Department of Christian Mission of the Theological Institute of the University of Bucharest;
- 1992-2007 – Professor of Dogmatic and Pastoral Theology at the Dumitru Stăniloae Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the I. Cuza University – Jassy;
- Representative of the National Synodal Commission for Religious Education (Bucharest);
- President of the Theological and Liturgical Commission of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church (former Commission for Education);
- Honorary Member of the National Commission for Historical Monuments (Bucharest);
- Member of the Executive and Central Committee of the Ecumenical Council of Churches, Geneva (1991-1998);
- Member of the Presidium and Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches (1997 – 2009);
- Vice-President of the Second General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches, Graz (1997);
- Member of Honour for the special aid granted to the Cultural Foundation Panellinion, Jassy (5 June, 1999);
- Full Member of the International Academy of Religious Sciences, Brussels (2000);
- Since 2007 – Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Justinian the Patriarch of Bucharest;
- Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy (19 December 2007);
- Honorary Member of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (24 June 2016), on the occasion of his participation in the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church of the island of Crete, Greece (16-26 June 2016).
2. HONORS, TITLES AND AWARDS:
a) Academic and cultural honours and titles:
- Honorary Diploma of the Cultural-Ecclesiastical Society of Metropolitan Silvester, Chernivtsi (5 February 1992);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of Sacred Heart Catholic University, Fairfield, Connecticut – USA (2003);
- Honorary Senator of the Dunărea de Jos University, Galati (2003);
- Honorary Member of Coriolan Brediceanu College, Lugoj (24 October 2005);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the George Enescu University of Arts, Jassy (14 January 2006);
- Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy (19 December 2007);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu ( 29 November 2008);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the 1 December 1918 University of Alba Iulia (30 November 2008);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad (5 December 2008);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Vasile Goldiș University of Arad (6 December 2008);
- Protector’s Diploma of the Pro Oriente Foundation, Vienna, National Library of Austria, Hall of Honor – Prunksaal (15 June 2009);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Saint Serge Institute of Orthodox Theology in Paris (9 July 2009);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Eftimie Murgu University of Reșița (13 September 2010);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Oradea (18 September 2010);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Cuza University of Jassy (15 October 2010);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Dunărea de Jos University, Galați (30 November 2011);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj (December 7, 2011);
- Diploma of Excellence and Medal of Honour of the Romanian-American University, Bucharest (16 January 2014);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of Titu Maiorescu University, Bucharest (10 December 2015);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University of Bucharest (22 March 2016);
- Doctor Honoris Causa of the Politehnica University of Bucharest (14 April 2016);
- 25th Anniversary Medal of the National Institute for the Study of Totalitarianism (20 November 2018).
b) Church awards:
- The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the highest Czech ecclesiastical honour, Most – Czech Republic (9 October 2011);
- The Order of the Holy Apostle Mark’s Cross in the rank of Grand Cross, the highest distinction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Bucharest (28 October 2011);
- Order of St. Demetrius Basarabov of the Metropolis of Ruse, Orthodox Church of Bulgaria (27 October 2016);
- Diocesan Order of Bishop Elie Miron Cristea of the Diocese of Caransebeș (30 September 2018).
- Distinction of Saint Sava Brancovici of the Archdiocese of Arad (27 October 2018);
- The Order of the Holy Hierarchs from Belgrad of Alba-Iulia Archdiocese (1 December 2018);
- Collection of medals dedicated to the events marked by the Russian Orthodox Church during the first ten years of the Pastorship of His Beatitude Kiril, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1 February 2019);
- Homage medal for Pope Francis’ visit to Romania (31 May – 2 June 2019), presented by Pope Francis on 31 May 2019;
- Medal issued on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the International Pavlia Congress, organized annually, by the Metropolis of Veria, Naousa and Kampania, Orthodox Church of Greece, in honour of Saint Apostle Paul (5 October 2019);
- Diploma of Excellence and Medal of Saint Dionysius Exiguus, offered by the Tomitan Academy – Archdiocese of Tomis (30 September 2020).
c) National distinctions and titles (central and local):
- Central National Orders and Distinctions:
- Order of Faithful Service in the rank of Grand Cross, awarded by the President of Romania, Bucharest (2000);
- National Order Steaua României in the rank of Grand Cross, awarded by the President of Romania, Bucharest (September 30, 2007);
- Emblem of Honour of the Naval Forces (9 December 2018);
- Homage paid to the Cathedral of the People’s Salvation Cathedral, an emblematic edifice that represents the materialization of a dream of the Romanian people, during the Gala of Excellence – Romania 100, an event held under the high patronage of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity, on the occasion of the celebration of 100 years since the Great Union (17 December 2018).
- Local national honors:
- Honorary Citizen of the county of Caraș-Severin and the municipality of Reșița (13 September 2010);
- Honorary Citizen of Mizil, Prahova County (29 May 2011);
- Honorary Citizen of Techirghiol, Constanța County (15 August 2009);
- Honorary Citizen of Gura Humorului, Suceava County (21 August 2011);
- Honorary Citizen of Turda municipality, Cluj county (18 September 2011);
- Honorary Citizen of Cornu commune, Prahova county (8 May 2012);
- Honorary Citizen of Negrești-Oaș, Satu Mare County (1 July 2012);
- Honorary Citizen of the commune of Secu, Dolj County (23 October 2012);
- Honorary Citizen of the municipality of Mogoșoaia, Ilfov County (17 August 2014);
- Honorary Citizen of Timiș County (28 December 2014);
- Honorary Citizen of Cernica commune, Ilfov county (3 October 2015);
- Honorary Citizen of Suceava County (7 November 2015);
- Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Kissamos, Crete (18 June 2016), on the occasion of his participation in the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Island of Crete, 16-26 June 2016;
- Honorary Citizen of the city of Otopeni, Ilfov County (10 September 2016);
- Honorary citizen of the commune of Brănești, Ilfov County (25 June 2017);
- Honorary Citizen of Mușătești commune, Argeș county (6 August 2017);
- Honorary Citizen of the commune of Rona de Sus, Maramureș County (28 August 2017);
- Honorary citizen of Craiova municipality, Dolj county (5 September 2019);
Honorary Citizen of Bucharest (12 December 2019).
d) Awards:
- Emanuel Heufeder Prize, Niederaltaich Monastery, Germany (3 May 1998);
- St Nicholas Ecumenical Institute of Bari, Italy (26 January 2002);
- Pro Humanitate Prize awarded by the European Cultural Foundation Pro Europa (Freiburg im Breisgau), Berlin, Germany (2002).
Locum tenens (lieutenant) for some dioceses
- Lieutenant Archbishop of Jassy and Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina, from 01 October 2007 to 08 June 2008;
- Lieutenant Bishop of Tulcea, from October 01, 2007 to March 25, 2008;
- Lieutenant Bishop of Australia and New Zealand from 28 November 2007 to 29 June 2008;
- Lieutenant-Bishop of Slobozia and Călărași, from 27 April 2009 to 28 June 2009;
- Lieutenant Archbishop of Vadul, Feleacul and Cluj and Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crișana and Maramureș (today: Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj), from 1 February 2011 to 25 March 2011;
- Lieutenant Archbishop of Buzău and Vrancea from 7 January 2013 to 10 March 2013;
- Lieutenant Metropolitan of Banat from 29 September 2014 to 28 December 2014.