Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica.ro: Distributing “The Good to Know” on social networks for eight years

The Facebook, X.com (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages of the Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate turn eight years old on Friday, October 20, 2023. They are the best examples of how anything can be used to do good. Numerous readers are exposed to articles about the Church’s philanthropy and those that promote facts…

Oct 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

From the Synaxaria: Saints who fought against human trafficking

At the European level, October 18 is dedicated to the fight against human trafficking. On this occasion, we remember that harming human dignity, exploitation, or abuse were not absent even from the lives of the saints, people whom we currently honour as role models. The best-known example is that of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra…

Oct 18, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency presents new outdoor photo exhibition: “Our Parents and Grandparents”

In the context of the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Elderly, Basilica.ro photojournalists invite you to visit the Patriarchate’s Hill to admire an exhibition titled “Our Parents and Grandparents.” The event marks the 15th anniversary of the Basilica News Agency’s online activity. The exhibition, which features dozens of frames depicting serene portraits…

Oct 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania welcomes UK Ambassador Andrew Noble on farewell visit

On Friday, October 13, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, welcomed the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania, Andrew Noble, for a farewell visit at the patriarchal residence. The Ambassador was accompanied by The Right Reverend Robert Innes, the Anglican Bishop of…

Oct 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Children have a higher interest in studying Byzantine music: A significant benefit for Romania’s chant stands

The effort required to learn Byzantine music cultivates a student’s spiritual and cultural development. The conductor of a newly formed children’s Byzantine choir told Basilica.ro that the increasing number of children approaching the chanters at the church stand or in a structured study setting is a significant improvement. The declaration of 2023 as the Commemorative…

Oct 12, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

This is the family that has been decorating St. Parascheva’s baldachin with flowers for 20 years

The reporters of the national news agency Agerpres spoke with the family of florists who, for 20 years, have been coming from Bucharest with flowers to decorate the baldachin for Saint Parascheva in Iași. Ioan Buștei travelled to Iași with his family, the company’s specialised team, and a vast quantity of flowers. He has been…

Oct 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Press release regarding the situation of Romanian pilgrims in Israel after outbreak of war

In the dramatic context generated by the beginning of the war in Israel a few days ago, in which nearly 800 Romanian citizens were on pilgrimage to the Holy Places, the Romanian Patriarchate provides the following clarifications regarding the evolution of their situation: Since the outbreak of the conflict through the terrorist attacks on Israel,…

Oct 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

European Parliament recognises the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia as a victim of Soviet oppression

A resolution proposed by mostly Polish MEPs and voted last week in the European Parliament recognises the Metropolis of Bessarabia as a victim of Soviet oppression. The European Parliament “notes that the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia, which was vindictively abolished by the Soviet authorities, was officially recognised in 2002 following a decision of the European…

Oct 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate expresses deep concern over recrudescence of war in Israel

The Romanian Patriarchate expresses its deep concern over the recrudescence of war in Israel following the terrorist attack launched at dawn on Saturday, October 7, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of people injured. War always represents a social catastrophe with incalculable consequences in terms of human suffering and the loss of life…

Oct 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarchate canonises Eldress Gavrilia Papaianni

During its working session on Oct. 3, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate resolved to canonise Gerontissa Gavrilia Papaianni one day after marking her 126th birth anniversary. The decision to canonise St. Gavrilia was initiated by Patriarch Bartholomew and announced by the Metropolis of Leros, Kalymnos, and Astypalaia, which made the relevant appeal to…

Oct 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Fr Dumitru Staniloae’s last words

Father Dumitru Stăniloae of blessed memory reposed in the Lord on the evening of October 4-5, 1993. His daughter, Lidia Stăniloae, recounted the last words spoken by the great Romanian theologian before his death. “… Let us get out of here, let us get out of here, let us get out of here, let us…

Oct 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu