Pastoral of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on the first Sunday of the Nativity of the Lord in 2026translated

To the reverend monk, the priestly clergy and beloved believers from the Romanian Patriarchate,

Grace, peace and joy from God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and from us parental blessings!

Reverend and Reverend Fathers, Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church proclaimed the year 2026 as the year of tribute to the pastoral care of the Christian family and the commemorative year of the holy women of the calendar (myronosites, martyrs, monks, wives and mothers). This decision represents an act of recognition of the fundamental role that family and women have in the formation and preservation of Christian identity, being important factors in the transmission of faith from one generation to another.

Through the birth of children, the family is life-giving, thus showing its cooperation with God, the Source of Life, Who wants all people to share in His eternal happiness in the Kingdom of heaven. In the family, children are prepared to become good citizens of the earthly homeland, but also spiritual sons or citizens of the heavenly homeland, of Heaven.

Through prayer and guidance, the Church accompanies the Christian family in all its stages.…