Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod secretary meets with new Albanian Ambassador to Romania

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the secretary of the Holy Synod, received Her Excellency Mrs Enkeleda Merkuri, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Bucharest, on a courtesy visit at the Patriarchal Palace on Wednesday, July 17. His Grace Bishop Varlaam welcomed Her Excellency to the Romanian Patriarchate and highlighted…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod issues Synodal Act to mark 250th anniversary of the translation of St Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church issued an anniversary act on the 250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. The document, written on parchment and signed by all the members of the Holy Synod, was read by the Patriarch of Romania last Saturday at the end of…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Maramureș Bishop comments on new canonizations: The time will come for Christian intellectuals and women confessors

Speaking about the recent canonizations by the Romanian Church, Bishop Justin of Maramureș and Sătmar said that only clerics have been canonized so far, but other categories of people will follow. “Many are saints. We cannot include them all in the calendar,” said the bishop. “Those included in the calendar are at the forefront of…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian hierarchs visit Silistra to celebrate Dorostolum Martyrs Sunday

The Holy Martyrs of Dorostolum were honoured on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Silistra, Bulgaria. The assembly of bishops included Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis, Bishop Visarion of Tulcea, and Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix on behalf of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Jacob of Dorostol.…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

St. Dumitru Stăniloae’s canonization is a joy for the theological world: The tradition of the first centuries is resumed

The news of the canonization of the illustrious theologian and confessor priest Dumitru Stăniloae brought joy among Romanian theologians. Basilica.ro took the pulse of theology faculties in the country where Saint Dumitru Stăniloae taught: Bucharest and Sibiu. Bucharest “We have awaited with joy and hope the moment of the canonization of the most illustrious and…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Paisie of Sinaia cautions: A “successful” life actually hides real dramas

On Sunday, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia underscored the increasingly prevalent lifestyle that appears successful but conceals genuine crises, interior emptiness, and a lack of meaning during his sermon at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, alluding to the Gospel reading from Matthew. Bishop Paisie noted that Christ insists three times in the mentioned…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Ruse in Bucharest: In these times, Saint Demetrius rejoices to see us in unity

Attending the 250th anniversary of the Translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest, Metropolitan Naum of Ruse spoke from the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral about the essential need for unity and joint testimony in these troubled times. His Eminence Metropolitan Naum conveyed, personally and on behalf of the new Patriarch Daniil…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian, Bulgarian hierarchs at additional feast of St. Demetrius the New: We ask him to protect our Churches and peoples

On Friday evening, July 12, after the all-night vigil and procession with the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a welcome message to Metropolitan Naum of Ruse. “Joining us now, this evening, and tomorrow during the Divine Liturgy, which will begin at 8:30 AM, is His Eminence Metropolitan Naum of…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Solemn procession held in Bucharest to remember arrival of St Demetrius the New’s relics

The relics of St. Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, were carried in an impressive procession on the streets of Bucharest on Friday evening, on the eve of the first celebration of the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Demetrius the New to Romania’s capital city. This feast was recently introduced into…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery, the first 21st-century Orthodox Saint canonized

The Romanian Orthodox Church has canonized sixteen new saints during the synodal sessions held on July 11-12. Among these, Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery stands out as the first Orthodox saint to have lived in the 21st century. Saint Sofian Boghiu Saint Sofian (Serghei Boghiu) was born on October 7, 1912, in Cuconeștii Vechi,…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest

Saturday, July 13, marks the 250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. How Saint Demetrius’ relics arrived in Bucharest The historical context in which the venerated relics arrived in Romania’s capital was during the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774). Battles were fought on Romanian soil and south of the Danube. When…

Jul 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu