Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebrating the Holy Brâncoveanu Martyrs, Romania raises awareness of Christian persecution

On August 16, Romania marks the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. The President of Romania ratified the law declaring August 16 as “National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians” on July 16, 2020. The 16th of August was…

Aug 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Timișoara: 500 volunteers make final preparations for the 7th International Meeting of Orthodox Youth

Approximately 500 volunteers are making the final preparations in Timișoara ahead of the 7th edition of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth ITO 2023. At the beginning of August, the volunteers met with Metropolitan Ioan of Banat at a youth centre to discuss their duties for the upcoming International Meeting of Orthodox Youth. “All the volunteers…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

4,000 young people march through streets of Târgoviște to open celebrations dedicated to St Niphon

Approximately 4,000 young people from Târgoviște took part last Thursday in the opening ceremony of the celebrations of St. Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople and Metropolitan of Wallachia.  Thursday evening began with the Vespers service and continued with an award ceremony for the 19 students who obtained first place at the county stage of the National…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Simonopetra Monastery Abbot thinks Romanian Prince Michael the Brave is a Saint

The abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Simonopetra, Archimandrite Elisaios Raptis, said that his monastic community reveres Prince Michael the Brave as a saint. Michael the Brave was Prince of Wallachia (1593-1601), Prince of Moldova (1600) and de facto ruler of Transylvania (1599-1600). He is considered one of Romania’s most significant national heroes and the…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem celebrates feast day of St John Jacob the New Chozebite

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of Saint John Jacob the New Chozebite on August 10. This year, on the feast of Saint John Jacob, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the all-night vigil at Chozeba Monastery, having as concelebrants Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine. The three hierarchs participated…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

7 short prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

During the period of fasting dedicated to preparing for the Dormition of the Mother of God, let us not neglect to offer her praise, gratitude, and even our most fervent petitions as often as possible. In addition to the simplest and most frequently recited prayer – “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” – we offer seven…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

15 Patriarch Daniel quotes on the Mother of God: A model of humble obedience for angels and humans

The Dormition Fast is a favourable time for prayer, especially to the Mother of God, who is “a merciful intercessor and mediatress for mankind.” Basilca.ro offers you a collection of 15 quotes about the Mother of God selected from the sermons of Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God is the one from whom the eternal…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Chernivtsi street could be renamed to honour Metropolitan Saint Jacob of Putna

A street in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi could be renamed to honour the Holy Hierarch Jacob of Putna, Metropolitan of Moldavia, BucPress news agency reported, citing Molody Bukowinec newspaper. According to the cited source, local authorities intend to rename approximately 40 streets whose names are still related to the history of Soviet space. “We…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition visits Bucharest’s religious landmarks

On Tuesday, his Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition visited some of Bucharest’s most famous religious landmarks. After arriving from Cyprus, Metropolitan Nektarios visited the Palace of the Patriarchate and the Patriarchal Cathedral, where he venerated the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Bucharest’s patron saint, and offered prayers for the repose of the souls of…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie: A man of light thinks beautifully and can convert what is negative without spreading evil

His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Husi celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at the Transfiguration Monastery in Huși. In his sermon, the bishop explained the importance of “Christian light” in the life of a believer, but also the significance of the moment when the apostles saw Christ enveloped…

Aug 8, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

New Romanian parish inaugurated in Great Britain: First Divine Liturgy celebrated at Swansea

Sunday, July 30, marked the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy at the newly-established Romanian Orthodox parish in Swansea, Great Britain. The liturgy celebrated by parish priest Vasile Flavian Branescu was attended by a representative of the Church of England, The Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan Alan Brayley, Swansea…

Aug 8, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu