Patriarch Daniel was ordained into monasticism 39 years agotranslated

Blessed Father Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, was ordained a monk 39 years ago, at the age of 36.

His Beatitude had Saint Cleopa from Sihăstria, one of the great clergymen of Romanian Orthodoxy, canonized by the Holy Synod in 2024 as a godfather.

The ordination to monasticism took place at the Sihăstria Monastery, in the evening of August 6, 1987.

Theological studies and priestly ministry Born on July 22, 1951, in the village of Dobrești, Timiș county, Father Patriarch Daniel received the name Dan-Ilie at baptism. He was the third child of teacher Alexie and Stela Ciobotea.

After completing his studies at the University Theological Institute in Sibiu, he continued his doctoral training in Bucharest, under the guidance of Saint Dumitru Staniloae, and later deepened his research abroad.

Entering monasticism in 1987 marked the beginning of a new stage of service in the Church. Three years later, in 1990, he was ordained a bishop and served for several months as Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Timisoara, becoming on June 7, 1990 Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina.

During the shepherding period...