Aurelian Iftimiu

Increase in Orthodox Conversions in the USA: 2022-2023 trends

A study published this month shows that the number of conversions to Orthodoxy increased in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023. Most converts are aged 30-39 and are unmarried, with the majority coming to Orthodoxy from Protestantism, the research indicates. The study, conducted by the Orthodox Studies Institute at St. Constantine College in Houston, covered…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Exhumation of St Sofian’s relics: The time has come for the Lord’s chosen ones to be moved from the cemetery to the church

On Monday morning, Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova officiated the exhumation service of the holy relics of Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery at Căldărușani Monastery near Bucharest. The venerable relics were placed in the cemetery church for a specific service before being transported to St Anthimos Monastery. “A specific rite was observed for such…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova conducts exhumation of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae’s relics

On Monday, Bishop Timotei of Prahova, the Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, conducted a special service to exhume Saint Dumitru Stăniloae’s relics from the cemetery of Cernica Monastery. The bishop spoke about the desire of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae and other hierarchs and theology professors to “listen to the liturgy beneath the earth in…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Priests Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătușu and Dumitru Stăniloae, witnesses of Christian love in an era marked by hatred and division

Răzvan Mihai Clipici, the head of the Culture subdepartment of the Culture, Painting and Restoration Sector of the Patriarchal Administration, published an article with historical data about the priests Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătusu, and Dumitru Stăniloae in response to various accusations that appeared in the public space after their canonization. Full text: Priests Ilarion Felea,…

Jul 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Remembering Patriarch Teoctist on the 17th anniversary of his blessed repose

Romania’s former Patriarch Teoctist Arapasu reposed in the Lord 17 years ago, on July 30, 2007. Patriarch Teoctist was born on February 7, 1915, in Tocileni, Botoșani county. He was named Teodor, being the tenth child of Dumitru and Marghioala Arăpașu. He went to Vorona Monastery as a novice in 1928 and continued to Neamț…

Jul 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch eager to participate in next year’s celebrations in Bucharest

While attending the patronal feast of St Paraskevi Church in Constantinople last Friday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his love for the Romanian community under His Holiness’s jurisdiction, as well as for the entire Romanian Orthodox Church. Additionally, the Patriarch of Constantinople announced that he was eagerly anticipating the events in Bucharest dedicated to the Centennial…

Jul 29, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

25 Quotes on Suffering and Healing by Patriarch Daniel

To mark the 2024 Solemn Year of pastoral care of the sick, Basilica.ro has compiled a selection of 25 quotes about suffering and healing from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. 1. “God desires to heal the whole of a person’s being; receiving His teaching is itself a condition for healing. From the Holy Scriptures, we clearly…

Jul 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Deutsche Welle: 4 million Orthodox Christians in Germany, 900,000 are Romanian

“More and more Orthodox Christians in Germany” headlines Deutsche Welle, presenting a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon, the ethnic communities from which Orthodox Christians originate, and the opportunities they bring. The media often discuss the decline in membership of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Still, it is rarely mentioned that the number of Orthodox…

Jul 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru expresses gratitude to Patriarch Daniel for supporting Bessarabia clergy and faithful

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on his 73rd birthday, expressing gratitude for his paternal care and love for the faithful in Bessarabia. “We thank you from the depths of our hearts for the boundless love and paternal care you continuously show towards the clergy and faithful in Bessarabia, whom you have…

Jul 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania has 1,440 wooden churches: A legacy of a hostile edict in Transylvania

Romania’s cultural heritage includes over 1,400 wooden churches constructed before 1918, according to a report by PressOne, supported by the National Historic Cultural Tourism Program “Attractive Romania.” These wooden churches are almost evenly distributed throughout the country, although the figures might suggest otherwise: 650 in Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș ~500 in Muntenia, Oltenia, and…

Jul 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church delegation pays visit to Armenia: Support for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh

A delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church met with representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church during an official visit aiming to establish a framework to support Armenian refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The meetings are taking place in the context of a fundraiser organized by the Romanian Patriarchate in 2024 to aid Armenian refugees. The…

Jul 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu