Patriarch of Romania: Children are gifts from God

Patriarch Daniel of Romania has issued a message on the occasion of the start of the new 2026-2027 school year, in which he emphasizes the importance of the Christian upbringing of children and young people, as well as the subject of Religious Education.

“Children and young people are gifts from God to the family, the Church, and the people,” states the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Daniel notes that through their Christian upbringing, children can become “not only good citizens of their earthly homeland, but also citizens of the heavenly homeland,” while underlining the decisive role of family, Church, and school in shaping their character.

He makes particular reference to the subject of Religious Education, noting that it contributes to the development of students’ personal identity, to their acquaintance with the spiritual and cultural values of humanity, and to the cultivation of elements of applied ethics necessary for the spiritual health of both the individual and society.

At the same time, the Patriarch of Romania refers to the cooperation between parishes and schools and to the continuation of the Church’s effort to support children from…