The Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrogea met on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Bucharest. The archbishop of Tomis, ÎPS Teodosie, who is on trial on Thursday, February 29, 2024, by the BOR Synod, was absent from the meeting. Attendance was mandatory, stated the BOR spokesperson.
Archbishop Teodosie participates in today's session of the Holy Synod of the BOR PHOTO: archive
The metropolitan synods take place, by region, before the Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR). The Metropolitan Synod of Muntenia and Dobrogea is held in Bucharest, the others are held in the territory. So the working meeting for the Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrogea took place at the patriarchal residence and was chaired by His Beatitude Father Patriarch Daniel.
On the same day, in the morning of Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the National-Church Assembly of priests and laymen was held at the Patriarchate, at which Teodosie was present. He then left, after the meeting, preferring not to enter the meeting of the Metropolitan Synod. The Archbishop of Tomis was thus absent from the meeting, although his presence was mandatory, BOR spokesperson Vasile Bănescu states for “Adevărul”.
“Yesterday (Wednesday, February 28, 2024 – no) after the meeting he returned to Constanța, citing in a statement that he was urgently called to confess someone. So he did not participate in the metropolitan synod, although it was mandatory. Today but he is present at the meeting“, said Bănescu, for “Adevărul”.
At the meeting of the Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrogea, held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Bucharest, Archbishops Nifon of Târgoviște, Calinic of Argeș and Muscel, Ciprian of Buzău and Vrancea, Casian of Lower Danube, Bishops Vincentiu of Slobozia and Călărași participated. Galaction of Alexandria and Teleormanu, Visarion of Tulcea, Ieronimo of Dacia Felix, Siluan of Hungary, as well as His Holiness Father Timotei Prahoveanul, Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. The Archbishop of Tomis was absent from the meeting, and in his absence, according to Basilica.ro (the press agency of the Romanian Patriarchate), issues concerning future canonizations and the improvement of monastic life were discussed.
“In the year 2024, more fathers will pass among the saints”
The meeting of the Synod of the Diocese of Muntenia and Dobrogea had work priority “liturgical texts referring to pious fathers and confessors during the communist period”Patriarch Daniel announced at the opening of the meeting.
According to the Basilica, members of the Synod analyzed the liturgical texts proposed for Venerable Sofian Boghiu, abbot of Antim Monastery, and for Confessor Priest Dumitru Stăniloae.
“In the year 2024, several fathers will pass among the saints – two from each metropolis, and we hope that the Ecumenical Patriarchate will also pass among the saints three Romanian aghiorites – fathers Dionisie Ignat, Petroniu Tănase and Nectarie Protopsaltul”. His Beatitude also said.
This year, in the summer, the canonization of the mentioned parents will take place, and in 2025 the canonization of all will be proclaimed in Bucharest “and then, one by one, in each metropolis, as has already become tradition”the Patriarch also mentioned.
Improvements regarding the monastic life
In the same meeting, several proposals for improving the organization of monastic life were discussed, which come in a wider context.
“All metropolitan synods were asked to present the situation of monastic life today and what proposals are being made to intensify spiritual life, but also to promote cooperation, solidarity and help between monasteries and hermitages”explained the Patriarch of Romania, according to Basilica.ro.
