Aurelian Iftimiu

Right hand of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher arrives in Bucharest for patronal feast

The right hand of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher of Thessalonica will join this year the festivities of Saint Demetrius the New, the Protector of Bucharest. This is the first time the two saints “meet” during this pilgrimage held at the Patriarchal Cathedral every year since 2008. As promised last year, Metropolitan Pantelimon…

Oct 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Bessarabia welcomes recognition of Romanian language as official language of Romanians in Ukraine

“With great joy, we welcome and appreciate the recognition of the Romanian language, and not “Moldovan”, as the official language of the Romanian minority in Ukraine,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said in a statement. “This news is truly historic and full of significance for the entire Romanian community in Ukraine.” “We offer our sincerest congratulations…

Oct 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

PHOTOS: Romanian bishop of Sălaj pays official visit to Iraq

His Grace Bishop Petroniu of Sălaj officially visited Iraq on Monday. Reasons for interreligious and intercultural dialogue occasioned the trip. The Romanian delegation included Fr. Valentin Ilie from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, a member of the Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Studies and Dialogue of the University of Bucharest, Apti Metin from…

Oct 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blesses residents at Christiana monastery home for the elderly

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel visited Christiana Monastery in Bucharest and the home of the elderly within the monastic settlement on Saturday morning. The visit of the Patriarch of Romania began at the “Descent of the Holy Spirit” church of the monastery, where he said, “we visit this monastery especially to meet the elderly who are…

Oct 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

450,000 pilgrims for feast of Saint Parascheva, Iași Archdiocese announces

This year, the Archdiocese of Iași announced that the number of believers participating in Saint Parascheva’s celebrations reached a new high of 450,000. Approximately 360,000 people participated in the extended pilgrimage to the relics of Saint Parascheva during the ten days of religious events, and over 90,000 people attended other events organised by the Metropolis…

Oct 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

2023 St Demetrius the New celebrations begin at dawn, first pilgrims venerate relics of Bucharest Patron Saint

The celebrations of Bucharest’s Patron Saint Demetrius the New began on Saturday morning when the Saint’s holy relics were taken out of the patriarchal cathedral and placed in an outdoor baldachin to facilitate access to pilgrims from across Romania. Although usually kept inside the patriarchal cathedral, the reliquaries with the relics of Saint Demetrius the…

Oct 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukraine, willing to give relics of Saint Theodora to Romania in exchange for national heroes’ remains

The relics of Saint Theodora of Sihla could be brought to Romania, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between the governments of Ukraine and Romania on Wednesday in Kyiv. According to the statement, the two prime ministers noted “the importance of work related to the organization of the search for the relics…

Oct 20, 2023Aurelian 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