Romanian Orthodox military chaplains launch first choir to promote unity through sacred music

The Sacerdotes Militares, the military chaplains’ choir, the first ensemble of its kind in the Romanian Patriarchate, has been established to promote unity and communion in pastoral ministry through sacred music.

The choir was established in the context of introducing Military Clergy Day, observed annually on 26 October, the feast of St Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher.

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church adopted the decision to establish the annual observance during its meeting on 1–2 July 2025 .

In a statement to the Basilica News Agency, Fr Ciprian Ioniță, Patriarchal Adviser in the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Romanian Patriarchate, said the ensemble was founded in April 2026 and initially brought together 24 military chaplains serving in the Ministry of National Defence.

The selection process was subsequently extended to other uniformed services, with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Administration of Penitentiaries.

As a result, four prison chaplains joined the ensemble.

Preparing the choir Military chaplains provided the liturgical responses during the Divine Liturgy celebrated on October 26 at the outdoor altar…