Romanian Orthodox Church Adds St. Gabriel of Georgia to Liturgical Calendar

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved a wide range of liturgical, educational, and administrative measures during its working session on June 3, chaired by His Beatitude Patr. Daniel at the Patriarchal Palace.

Among the most notable decisions was the addition of new commemorations to the Church calendar. The Synod approved the inclusion of the Council of the Holy Military Martyrs, to be celebrated on Oct. 26, and the Fool-for-Christ St. Gabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, whose feast will be observed Nov. 2. Liturgical texts associated with both commemorations were also approved. The bishops further authorized services, akathists, and other texts honoring Athonite saints, the Mother of God’s icon from Craiova, and several Romanian women saints.

Nicolae Iftimiu, director of Basilica News Agency and a deacon of the Romanian Patriarchate, posted the following on social media:

Glory to God! The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has decided to include Saint Gabriel Urgebadze the Fool for Christ in its church calendar being celebrated on November 2, starting next year. I am happy and honoured that the Holy Synod approved the request I submitted following the visit to Tbilisi for Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral. The request was a normal act of reciprocity since the Georgian Orthodox Church had earlier included several Romanian saints into its calendar.

The Synod also addressed church governance by approving updated regulations governing canonical disciplinary authorities and courts, as well as revised rules for the Church Painting Commission of the Romanian Patriarchate. In addition, the bishops approved the implementation methodology for recent amendments to Romania’s law on religious freedom and religious organizations.

Several initiatives focused on education and social outreach. The Synod authorized a new dual-specialization bachelor's degree in Orthodox theology and Romanian language instruction at the University of Bucharest beginning in the 2027–2028 academic year. It also approved a master's program on interdisciplinary approaches to addiction at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași. The Romanian Patriarchate additionally agreed to participate in a public information campaign promoting access to free medical services for uninsured individuals.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Ephrem consecrated the St. Gabriel Fool-for-Christ Church in a Georgian village.