Religion in Romania: An Overview of Faith Structures
Romania is a country with a rich and diverse religious history. The major faith structures in the country are Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Christianity is the largest religion in Romania, with the Eastern Orthodox Church being the predominant denomination. Other Christian denominations in Romania include the Greek Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and various Protestant denominations. Islam and Judaism are also present in the country, but they represent much smaller communities.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church is the largest Christian denomination in Romania, with over 16 million followers. The Romanian Orthodox Church has been the national church of Romania since the 19th century. The church is led by the Patriarch of Romania and has 10 archbishops, 21 metropolitans, and over 13,000 priests. The church follows the Byzantine rite and claims spiritual and administrative independence from the Moscow Patriarchate.
Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church is the second-largest Christian denomination in Romania, with over 1 million followers. The church is organized into four dioceses, with the Archdiocese of Bucharest being the largest. The Catholic Church in Romania is known for its charitable efforts, and it operates numerous schools, hospitals, and social services throughout the country.
Greek Catholic Church
The Greek Catholic Church is a smaller Christian denomination in Romania, with less than 200,000 followers. The church split from the Eastern Orthodox Church in the 18th century and follows the Byzantine rite. The church was banned by the communist regime in Romania during the 20th century but has since experienced a resurgence.
Protestant Churches
Protestantism is represented in Romania by numerous denominations, including the Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession, the Reformed Church, and the Baptist Church. Collectively, Protestants make up around 6% of the population. The Protestant churches in Romania are known for their emphasis on community outreach and evangelism.
Islam
Islam is present in Romania, but it represents a small community of around 65,000 people, mainly concentrated in the Dobrogea region. The Muslim community in Romania is made up of both Sunni and Shia Muslims and includes Turkish, Tatar, and Roma (Gypsy) Muslims.
Judaism
The Jewish community in Romania has a long and rich history, but it is now a small community of around 3,000 people. The community is mainly concentrated in Bucharest and has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with the opening of a new synagogue and community center in the city.
FAQs
Q: What is the predominant religion in Romania?
A: The predominant religion in Romania is Christianity, with the Eastern Orthodox Church being the largest denomination.
Q: What other Christian denominations are present in Romania?
A: Other Christian denominations in Romania include the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Catholic Church, and various Protestant denominations.
Q: Is Islam present in Romania?
A: Yes, Islam is present in Romania, but it represents a small community of around 65,000 people.
Q: What is the Jewish community like in Romania?
A: The Jewish community in Romania is a small community of around 3,000 people, mainly concentrated in Bucharest.
Q: Are there any restrictions on religious practice in Romania?
A: No, there are no restrictions on religious practice in Romania. The country has guaranteed freedom of religion in its constitution.