The Romanian Patriarchate rejects the approval of the prayer in AUR’s bill for Tricolor Day, while the initiator claims that the text was accepted by the former patriarch Teoctist

The Romanian Patriarchate said it was not consulted and did not approve the prayer included in the bill on Tricolor Day, initiated by AUR MP Mircia Chelaru. The bill passed tacitly through the Senate and is being debated by the Chamber of Deputies.

The text proposes that, during the flag-blessing ceremony, the military priest or hierarch recite a specific blessing prayer. The Patriarchate, however, considers that the wording must be brought into line with the liturgical practices of the Romanian Orthodox Church and has announced that it will submit proposals to amend the bill.

The institution also requests the removal of the provision allowing the prayer to be recited by a religion teacher or another layperson, arguing that it must be recited exclusively by priests.

The legislative initiative also provides for officials to be required to kiss the national flag at ceremonies, with fines of up to 10,000 lei for refusal. The authorities' failure to participate could be classified as abuse of office.

Contacted by Digi24, Mircia Chelaru claimed that the prayer had been approved by former Patriarch Teoctist and that the text is included in the military regulations. The Patriarchate does not confirm this claim.