PRESS RELEASE

Twenty Years In Photographic Series

On Thursday, November 16th, 2006 the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the enthronement as Patriarch of His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist. On this special anniversary, His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist, along with the members of the Holy Synod, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Spiridon the New Church, starting at 9:30 a.m., as thanksgiving to God for the overflowing grace that has been bestowed upon the Romanian Orthodox Church in these twenty years of his serving as a dignified Patriarch.

The Divine Liturgy will be followed by an anniversary moment at the Patriarchal Palace (at 1:30 p.m.). Members of the Holy Synod, local and central official representatives, public figures of Romanian life, other local and foreign representatives, and members of the governmental body will participate in this historical anniversary. With this occasion, the photographic exposition entitled "Twenty years in a Photographic Series” will be opened. This exposition covers special times of His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist across these years.

In these twenty years the Romanian Orthodox Church has witnessed meaningful changes that can be summarized as follows:

1. Inauguration of twelve new dioceses nationwide, reactivation of the Metropolia of Bessarabia, foundation of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia for Central and Northern Europe, of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia for Western and Southern Europe and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopates for Romanians living in Hungary and Serbia.
2. Foundation or reactivation of about four hundred monasteries, construction of more than 2000 churches.
3. Reintegration of Theology in undergraduate and graduate public education programs. Introduction of religious education in public schools.
4. Reinstallation of religious assistance within the army, hospitals, and penitentiaries. Organization of social assistance for unprivileged people.
5. Reorganization of social aid and installation of more than 230 social assistance institutions sponsored by the Romanian Orthodox Church for the unprivileged.
6. Development of national humanitarian campaigns for first aid in the event of natural disasters.
7. Development of joint programs with the central and local authorities and with nongovernmental organizations regarding poverty, domestic violence, human traffic, drug consumption, HIV/AIDS spread, cancer prevention, and social integration.
8. Consolidation of fraternal relations with all Orthodox Churches, restatement of ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholic Church (His Beatitude met with Pope John Paul II in 1989, 1992, and 1999), the Protestant Churches, other denominations and ecumenical organisms.
9. Opening of a Romanian Orthodox Church representation at the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
10. Twenty million believers nationwide, and several millions around the borders and in Diaspora, organized in six Metropolias in Romania, three Metropolias, an Archdiocese and two Episcopates outside of the country with more than 11,000 parishes in Romania and approximately 14,000 priests, over 600 monasteries with 8,000 monks and nuns.
11. Unaccomplished construction of the new Patriarchal Cathedral.

Romanian Patriarchate Press department

His beatitude Teoctist,

patriarch of the romanian Orthodox church

Biographical notes

February 7, 1915              Born in Tocileni, Botoşani County.  He is the tenth child of Dumitru and Marghioala Arăpaşu; at his christening, he receives the name Teodor.

1912-1927                       Attends elementary school in his native town.

1928                               Joins as brother Sihăstria Voronei Skete.

1929                                       Joins as novice Vorona Monastery.

1930                               Is admitted to Monastic Seminary in Neamţ.

1932-1940                            Attends Monastic Theological Seminary at Cernica Monastery.

August 6, 1935                 Takes the monastic vows at Bistriţa Monastery, Neamţ; he receives the monastic name of Teoctist.

January 4th, 1937               He is ordained as hierodeacon.

1940-1944                       He attends the Theology Faculty at the University of Bucharest.

1945                               Graduates “Magna Cum Laude” in Theology.

March 1, 1945                  Requests transfer to Metropolitan Cathedral in Iaşi as a hieromonk.

March 25, 1945                    Ordained as hieromonk.

March, 1946                          Becomes ecclesiarch at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi.

1948                                       Elevated at the rank of Archimandrite.

February 28, 1950               Upon the proposal of the Patriarch Justinian Marina, he is elected Patriarchal Vicar Bishop by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

March 5, 1950                       Ordained bishop by the Patriarch Justinian Marina, Metropolitan Firmilian of Oltenia and Bishop Chesarie of Low Danube.

1950-1954                       Becomes Dean of the Theological Institute in Bucharest.

July 28, 1962                        Becomes Bishop of Arad, Ienopole and Hălmagi.

1969-1970                       Appointed by the Holy Synod locum tenens for the Diocese of Oradea.

January 28, 1973                 Becomes Archbishop of Craiova and Metropolitan of Oltenia.

September 25, 1977           Elected Archbishop of Iasi and Metropolitan of Moldova.

1981-1982                       Appointed by the Holy Synod locum tenens for the Metropolitan See of Transylvania.

November 9, 1986            Elected Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrogea and Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

November 16, 1986             Enthroned in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.

TITLES AND RECOGNITIONS

• Honorary member of the Romanian Academy
• Doctor Honoris Causa of Lublin University, Poland (2000)
• Doctor Honoris Causa of Bucharest University and other universities from Romania