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Patriarch Nicodim Munteanu’s legacy as Bible translator and Orthodox scholar

June 30, 2026 · 1 min read

Patriarch Nicodim Munteanu was responsible for almost the entire translation of the Romanian Bible published in 1944, in addition to producing dozens of translations and original theological works.

Working directly from the Greek text of the Septuagint, Patriarch Nicodim translated fifty-one books of Holy Scripture into Romanian—twenty-four Old Testament books and the entire New Testament. He also published five editions of the New Testament and four editions of the Psalter, all translated by himself.

The second Patriarch of Romania also translated numerous works from Russian theological literature. Alongside these translations, he produced original writings inspired by Holy Scripture and by the pastoral needs of his time, ranging from substantial volumes to accessible booklets intended for a broad readership.

“This combination of the text of Holy Scripture with its social and pastoral context showed that Patriarch Nicodim was a realistic theologian and a shepherd who brought the word of life—the saving word that unites us with God the Word and with the Holy Trinity—into the realities of his own age,” Patriarch Daniel has observed.

The Romanian novelist Cezar Petrescu…

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💬 Comments (17) 🌐 Show original

Галина Попова

In our Kazan parish we also read the Bible based on a translation made from the Greek Septuagint - I remember the priest said that it was like that in the old days. I wonder how exactly he juxtaposed the Greek text with the Romanian one to preserve this ancient reading.

Дарья Макарова

In our parish in Minsk we also read the Church Slavonic translation from the Septuagint, as the priest mentioned in his sermon about a recent lesson. It’s interesting how in Kazan they discussed variants of the text during translation - in our publication “Psalter” the Septuagint and the Slavic text are side by side, but how exactly was the text chosen for the Romanian editions?

Росица Стефанова

Translated 51 books of the Holy Scriptures? Just like when my grandmother read the Psalms on a hand-copied Bible in the church in Krankitsa.

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

I notice that he translated from the Hebrew Septuagint, as did the Greek Church. Have you seen in his books the notes on the differences with the Hebrew in translation?

Мариана Иванова

Yes, that's right - our grandmothers often kept such handwritten or old editions and read them with great faith. Patriarch Nicodemus has done a tremendous job, especially with the translation straight from the Septuagint, to bring the Word to the common man. Are you from Kranchitsa, Rosice, or was your grandmother from there?

Методи Попов

Yes, my grandmother kept just such an old edition of the Psalter, yellowed and with marginal notes. Patriarch Nicodemus's translation is indeed accurate and close to the Septuagint original, which is why it was easy to read. Rositsa is from Krankitsa, I am from Varna, but we are related on the maternal side.

Богдана Николова

Yes, that's right - hand-transcribed Psalters were like a treasure to our grandmothers. My mother-in-law from Burgas kept an old, yellowed book with a translation from the 1930s and brought it to every service. Rositsa, did your grandmother read aloud in church or just to herself?

Красимира Колева

Yes, I too had a yellowed Psalter like this from the 40s, with handwritten notes from my mother-in-law. Patriarch Nikodim's translation is really clear and sounds natural in Bulgarian, that's why we also used it in the church in Burgas. And you, from Varna, do you often go to Krankitsa to visit your relatives?

Десислава Николова

Yes, I also have one of those old Psalters from 1944, yellowed and with notes in the margins from my mother. The translation really reads easily without sounding foreign. And do you live in Burgas permanently or do you only go to church there?

Красимира Петрова

Yes, my old Psalter from 44 is just like that - the pages have become brittle and my mother's notes are still visible. The translation really sounds natural, as if it was written for us today. Have you moved to Burgas or do you only go there for the holidays?

Николай Атанасов

Yes, mine is from the same edition too – the pages are now as thin as cigarette paper and dad's notes are still legible. The translation is really pure Bulgarian, without making you strain. Are you in Burgas permanently or do you only go to Sunday services?

Богдана Петрова

Yes, mine is also from 44, the pages have become like parchment, and my grandmother's notes are still clearly visible. The translation really makes you feel like you are reading aloud in the church. And since when have you had this Psalter, have you kept it from your mother?

Георги Петров

Yes, my psalter is also from 44, its pages are yellowed and smell of old ink. I got it from my mom 20 years ago, she read it every night. And what kind of notes did your grandmother write most often - dates or some poems?

Мария Колева

My Psalter is also from 44, but its pages are more frayed at the edges from constant turning. Your grandmother's notes must have been very personal - I keep one of hers asking for the health of the children. Do you read it out loud with your kids at home?

Иван Стоянов

Yes, mine is also worn out from reading, especially the Psalms. My grandmother had marked several places with a pencil for hope in difficult days, not only for health. Do you read it out loud with yours or rather alone?

Христо Димитров

Yes, mine from 44 is the same - yellowed, with the smell of old ink, I got it from my grandmother. She mostly noted commemoration dates next to the psalms, rarely a verse. And did your mother read it aloud or quietly?

Тодор Кирилов

Yes, and my Psalter is worn out right on those pages with confidence. My grandmother had also penciled in a few psalms for days when it's not just about health. I usually read it alone, but occasionally with my wife in the evening - it's more relaxed. And do you read it out loud?