In a message delivered in anticipation of the Romanian Migrants’ Sunday marked on August 17, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church calls for the „religious” preservation of the Romanian language, faith and identity.

„The Romanian Migrants’ Sunday reminds us that, although physically far from their homeland, Romanians are united in spirit with their loved ones through Church services and cultural traditions. In their hearts, home is not just a place, but a state of mind of communion with their roots, with their inherited values and with those who longingly await for them. The Romanian Orthodox Church stands by the Romanians abroad through prayer and pastoral work, through its parishes and missions, providing support, light and comfort, and serving as a living bridge between generations,” the Patriarch emphasizes.

The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church advises prayer, love for parents, nation and God.

„We beseech you to religiously preserve our Romanian language, faith and identity. Do not forget that prayer, love for parents, nation and God know no boundaries. Wherever you are, you remain sons and daughters of the same Church and the same blessed nation. We pray to the Most Holy Trinity that this day, Romanian Migrants’ Sunday, may be an occasion of joy for us, of reunion with our loved ones who remained back home, of strengthening in faith and of remembrance of those who have moved to the Kingdom of Heaven,” His All-Holiness Daniel also said.

The Patriarch recalls that 2025, declared by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church as the Year of Tribute to the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of the 20th-century Romanian Orthodox confessors and spiritual fathers, represents „a unique moment” in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

„This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but also a call to gratitude towards our ancestors and a reflection on the role of our Church in the life of the Romanian people. Throughout its 100 years of existence, the Romanian Patriarchate has been an unquenchable torch of faith and national unity, and the Romanian Orthodox spiritual fathers and confessors of the 20th century were true defenders of the Orthodox faith in the face of trials and persecutions,” the Patriarch emphasizes.

He also had „a word of gratitude and appreciation” for all the servants of the holy altars in the diaspora, hierarchs, priests and deacons, for their rich pastoral, missionary and social activity „in the times of instability today’s society is wading through, as well as for all the Romanian Orthodox believers overseas, for their steadfast love for the Country and the Mother Church.”

AGERPRES