Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie holds first Liturgy for new parish in Balbriggan, Ireland

Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland celebrated on Sunday the first Divine Liturgy at the emerging parish in Balbriggan, Ireland, according to a statement received by the editorial office. “Today Christ is present here among you and gathers us around Himself. A community is not built only of walls, but especially of the faith and…

Aug 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

91st anniversary of birth of Father Seraphim Rose, American monk and writer

Wednesday marks 91 years since the birth of the man who, at the age of 28, would receive Orthodox Baptism, and at 36, monastic tonsure. The young Eugene, as he was named by his parents, was born in San Diego, California. Gifted with exceptional intellectual ability, he spent his youth seeking the ultimate truth about…

Aug 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict links International Youth Day to spiritual ‘Youth of the Heart’ in message to young people

In an exclusive message to Basilica.ro, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj placed International Youth Day in a Christian perspective, suggesting that there is also a “youth of the heart,” and that “those who feel young at heart” are “those who love the Mother of God.” The hierarch recalled that International Youth Day, marked on…

Aug 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Mosaic of Virgin Mary Orans installed in Romania’s National Cathedral ahead of Dormition Feast

Ahead of the great feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary Orans has been installed in the narthex of Romania’s National Cathedral. In this image, the Most Holy Theotokos is shown with her hands raised and palms open, with the Child Jesus depicted on her chest —…

Aug 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Presidents of Romania, Republic of Moldova visit Orthodox parish near Chișinău

Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Moldovan President Maia Sandu visited on Sunday the “Protection of the Mother of God” Church in the village of Ghidighici, near Chișinău. Parish priest Maxim Melinti presented to them the old church, the new church currently under construction—dedicated to the “Transfiguration of the Lord”—and the “Island of Happiness” Social Centre,…

Aug 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop criticizes music festivals for mocking Christian symbols: Christ bothers

His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar spoke on Sunday about what he described as disturbing trends at certain music festivals in Romania, saying that “Christ bothers” some of the participants at these events. In a sermon delivered at the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Baia Mare, the bishop…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nifon urges youth in Târgoviște to reject superficial ideologies at Saint Niphon celebrations

His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, urged thousands of young people gathered on Sunday for the Saint Niphon celebrations in Târgoviște to never be “deceived by what merely shines without depth — namely, by confused and destructive ideologies.” According to the honorary metropolitan, such ideologies are deceptive because “although they…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

First Liturgy honouring newly canonised Bessarabian Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga held in Călărași

The Holy Hieromartyr Alexander (Baltaga) of Bessarabia was commemorated on Friday for the first time since the local proclamation of his canonisation, in the “Saint Nicholas” Church in Călărași, the Republic of Moldova — the parish where the saint served for 54 years. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia,…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

WCC Executive Committee member, Metropolitan Nifon marks name day honouring Saint Niphon of Constantinople

Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan, Patriarchal Exarch, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, celebrates his name day on Monday, the feast of Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople, reflecting a distinguished ecclesiastical career marked by international representation, academic excellence, and decades of pastoral and missionary service. He was…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Kallinikos of Edessa: 9 spiritual reflections from his bed of suffering

Metropolitan Saint Kallinikos of Edessa is widely regarded as a contemporary saint, venerated even during his lifetime as an ascetic hierarch who lived a life of exceptional purity and humility. At his tonsure into monasticism, he chose the name Kallinikos (from the Greek Καλλίνικος, meaning “beautiful victor”) because he desired to follow the path of…

Aug 8, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel honours Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria as pillars of 20th century monasticism

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie on Thursday with a deeply spiritual tribute, calling them “two pillars of light between the mountains and heaven.” In a pastoral message occasioned by the celebrations at Sihăstria Monastery, the Patriarch of…

Aug 8, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu