Aurelian Iftimiu

Live the life of Christ: Patriarch Daniel explains the mystagogical meaning of Holy Week

The Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem connects the Lenten period with the beginning of a mystagogic, mystical period, the Romanian Patriarch explained on Palm Sunday. “Until now, the period of forty days has been one of asceticism, hardships, and fasting,” His Beatitude said. Patriarch Daniel explained that “asceticism” was translated into…

Apr 12, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Palm Sunday procession reminds us we are transient

Hundreds of clerics and believers participated last weekend in Bucharest’s traditional Palm Sunday procession. The event started at Radu Vodă Monastery and ended at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The pilgrims, led by the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, were welcomed on the Patriarchate’s Hill by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who blessed the festal icon of…

Apr 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești awarded Order of Crown of Romania

The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești was among the personalities and institutions decorated by Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, during a special ceremony at the Royal Palace in Bucharest on March 30. The Royal Order of the Crown of Romania in the rank of Knight was bestowed upon bishop Varlaam…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

100-year-old priest and WWII veteran made an honorary citizen of Romanian town

Recent centenarian Father Nicolae Diaconescu was declared an honorary citizen of Bengești-Ciocadia, where he served as a priest. Victor Geogia, the Mayor of Bengești-Ciocadia commune, Octavian Moraru, the president of the National Association of War Veterans – “Tudor Vladimirescu” Branch, Gorj county, and Colonel Gheorghe Andronescu went to Fr Nicolae’s home to confer him the…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Malta’s President to attend Paschal Agape Vespers at Valletta Romanian Orthodox Parish

The President of Malta will attend the Paschal Agape Vespers at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Valletta, according to an announcement made by the Romanian community in Malta. President George Vella will be accompanied by his wife, Miriam Vella. Agape Vespers (also called Vespers of Love) is a Vespers service that continues the celebration of…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Doing School Differently: Over 1,000 students visit Patriarchal Palace

As part of the “Doing School Differently” program, over 1,000 students visited the Patriarchal Palace in March. The groups of students came from Bucharest and throughout Romania. The young people study at schools such as Bucharest’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, The Three Holy Hierarchs High School, “Mihai Viteazul” National College, “Mihai Eminescu” National College and “Tudor…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Believers invited to this year’s Palm Sunday Procession in Bucharest

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, on the eve of the great feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest will organise the Palm Sunday procession in Bucharest, inviting hierarchs, priests, monastics, and lay believers from Romania’s capital and Ilfov county to take part. This religious and missionary event…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with new Portuguese Ambassador to Bucharest Paulo Cunha Alves

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Excellency Mr Paulo Cunha Alves, the Ambassador of Portugal to Romania, on a presentation visit at the Patriarchal Residence. The Ambassador thanked the Patriarch of Romania for his hospitality and complimented the excellent historical ties between Romania and Portugal. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel praised…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Outgoing Swiss Ambassador pays farewell call on Patriarch of Romania

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Excellency Arthur Mattli, the outgoing Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Romania, on a farewell visit. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel expressed his joy to meet Mr Arthur Mattli again, complimented him on his extensive diplomatic activity in Romania, and thanked him for contributing to…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with Secretary of State for Romanians abroad

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the Secretary of State for relations with Romanians abroad, Gheorghe Cârciu, at his patriarchal residence on March 29, 2023. After the meeting, Secretary of State Gheorghe Cârciu highlighted the excellent collaboration between the Church and his department. “Preserving the identity of Romanians outside the borders through educational projects, promoting culture…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel awards Patriarchal Order of Praying Theotokos to Serbian Bishop of Buda

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Grace Bishop Lukijan of Buda, the administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Timisoara, at the patriarchal residence and awarded him the second highest order of the Romanian Patriarchate. During the meeting that took place on March 28, Bishop Lukijan conveyed best regards on behalf of Patriarch Porfirije of…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu