Patriarch Daniel of Romania sent a message on Friday on the occasion of the 32nd International Scientific Theological Conference “Pavleia”, organized by the Holy Metropolis of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania in Veria, held from 26–29 June 2026.
“The international ‘Pavleia’ conference in Veria is one of the most important academic and ecclesiastical events dedicated to the study of the work and theological heritage of the Holy Apostle Paul, bringing together hierarchs, clergy, and Orthodox theologians who, through their research and reflection, contribute to a deeper understanding of the Pauline message and its significance for the life of the Orthodox Church in the modern world.”
“This year’s theme, ‘The Apostle Paul and Baptism,’ stands out for its relevance and theological depth, because through the Mystery of Holy Baptism, man is incorporated into the Church of Christ, receives the forgiveness of sins, and begins a holy life, as well as attains eternal life,” the Patriarch stated.
The representative of the Patriarch of Romania at the event is Bishop Nicodim of Strehaia and Severin.
Read below the message of the Patriarch of Romania:
The Apostle Paul, Great Teacher of the Mystery of Holy Baptism
With great joy in our Lord Jesus Christ, we received the gracious invitation to participate in the 32nd International Scientific Theological Conference “Pavleia,” on the theme “The Apostle Paul and Baptism,” organized by the Holy Metropolis of Veria, Naoussa, and Kampania of the Church of Greece, in Veria, from 26–29 June 2026.
The internationally renowned theological conference “Pavleia” is one of the most important institutions of contemporary Orthodox theological witness, dedicated to the study of the person, work, and divinely inspired teaching of the Holy Apostle Paul. It gathers hierarchs, clergy, and theologians who, through study and scholarly research, contribute to a deeper understanding of the Pauline word and highlight its enduring relevance for the life of the Orthodox Church and its witness in the modern world.
This year’s theme, “The Apostle Paul and Baptism,” is distinguished by its enduring relevance and profound theological content, since through the Mystery of Holy Baptism, man is incorporated into the Church of Christ, receives forgiveness of sins, enters into a new life in Christ, and anticipates the gift of eternal life.
In the theology of the Holy Apostle Paul, the Mystery of Baptism is the sacred and sacramental act through which the newly illumined becomes a member of the Church of Christ. Furthermore, according to the Apostle Paul, through Holy Baptism the believer mystically participates in the death and Resurrection of the Lord, being deemed worthy of the gift of new and saving life. Thus, he writes: “Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3–4).
Therefore, Holy Baptism is the starting point of the new life in Christ, in which the old man, enslaved to sin, is crucified with Christ, while the new man is born into life in the Holy Spirit. This new life is most clearly expressed in the Pauline confession: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). This transformation concerns not only the believer’s personal spiritual journey, but also has profound ecclesiological significance, as the baptized become members of the Body of Christ, that is, the Church. Thus, the Apostle Paul states: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13).
In this way, the Mystery of Baptism is the foundation of the unity of believers in the Church of Christ: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:27–28). In particular, the Apostle Paul teaches that through the grace of Holy Baptism, the Christian receives, beyond the forgiveness of sins, three great gifts: the gift of divine adoption (cf. Rom. 8:14–16), the life of the soul raised from the death of sin (cf. Rom. 8:10–11; Gal. 4:6), and the pledge of eternal life (cf. Rom. 6:4–5; 6:23).
The holding of the 32nd International Scientific Theological Conference “Pavleia” is an occasion for spiritual joy and fruitful theological reflection on the Mystery of Holy Baptism in Pauline theology. The presentations and scholarly contributions help deepen the understanding of the theology of Baptism and highlight its enduring significance for the life of the faithful and the witness of the Orthodox Church in the modern world.
In closing, we pray to the Most Holy Trinity to bless the work of the conference, its organizers, and all participants, granting them the joy of brotherly communion in the light of Pauline theology concerning Christian Baptism.
With paternal blessings in Jesus Christ our Lord,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Metropolis of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania
Source: basilica.ro
