The Romanian Orthodox Church has established a new feast honoring holy warrior-martyrs, to be celebrated annually on October 26, the feast day of Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, according to the church’s news agency, Basilica.

The official proclamation took place on October 26 outside the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, following the Divine Liturgy. Patriarch Daniel of Romania took part in the ceremony and presented the faithful with the Synodal Tomos formally establishing the feast.

The decision was approved by the Church’s Holy Synod on June 3, 2026.

The new feast honors saints who served as soldiers or military commanders, professed the Christian faith and suffered martyrdom during periods of persecution. Among them are Great Martyr George the Victorious, Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Mercurius of Caesarea and Theodore Stratelates, along with other saints and early Christian warrior-martyrs associated with the ancient Danubian lands and the history of Christianity in Romania.

One of the saints commemorated is Julius of Durostorum, a Roman soldier who was executed around 298 for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. His martyrdom took place in Durostorum, in what is now the Bulgarian city of Silistra.

Under the Synod’s decision, the holy warrior-martyrs will be venerated as heavenly protectors of Romanian military personnel. The Church also plans to publish liturgical texts for the new feast and approve its iconographic representations.

In his address, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the shared values of the Church and the armed forces, including fidelity to the Christian faith, love for one’s neighbors and homeland, courage, and a willingness to make sacrifices.

The patriarch also emphasized the role of military chaplains, who provide spiritual and moral support to members of the armed forces.

Concluding his address, Patriarch Daniel prayed for peace throughout the world, noting that humanity continues to face numerous conflicts. He asked God to grant people peace, health and assistance in every good undertaking.

The proclamation of the new feast formed part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s autumn celebrations honoring Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, one of the most widely venerated saints in the Romanian Orthodox tradition.

By establishing the annual commemoration, the Church has formally linked the legacy of Christian warrior-martyrs with the spiritual life of the country’s military community.