Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2022: The Almighty became a humble Child. Innocence is His power now

In a video message for this year’s feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the Patriarch of Romania recalled that the Infant Jesus is “the peaceful joy that gushes forth from God’s humble and merciful love,” which calls us to show humble and merciful love towards our neighbours. Patriarch Daniel’s Message for Christmas 2022 and…

Dec 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Varlaam: The Patriarch of Romania inherited qualities of the three Saints Daniel. May God grant him their longevity

On the occasion of Patriarch Daniel’s name day, an anniversary ceremony was held in the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday. The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said that the Holy Prophet Daniel (Dec. 17) is the spiritual patron of the Patriarch of Romania. Still, His Beatitude also honours Saints Daniel the Stylite (Dec. 11) and…

Dec 20, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christmas carols are hymns and prayers of the right-believing Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church attended the traditional carol concert of the Romanian Patriarchate titled “The Orient from on High,” organised by the Basilica Media Centre at the Patriarchal Palace on Friday, December 16, 2022. The Patriarch of Romania addressed those present, highlighting the importance of Christmas carols. “In this Solemn…

Dec 19, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan distributes 30,000 prayer books to students

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat is offering the students in his archdiocese a valuable Christmas gift this year. In all, 30,000 prayer books were donated by His Eminence to be distributed by local religion teachers, reports the Metropolis of Banat. The archpastor wanted every student in his diocese to “benefit from a prayer book, which…

Dec 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Probable first cell of St. Paisius Velichkovsky discovered on Holy Mount Athos

A small stone hut believed to be the first monastic habitation of St. Paisius Velichkovsky during his time on the Holy Mount Athos was recently discovered by a group of monks who were cutting back the thickets of the monastery forest. The monks invited Sergei Shumilo, Director of the International Institute of the Athonite Legacy,…

Dec 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s central bank issues coin marking Kretzulescu Church’s 300th anniversary

The Romanian National Bank (BNR) has issued a gold coin to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the building of Kretzulescu Church in Bucharest. The obverse of the coin features Bucharest’s Kretzulescu Church, the year of issue “2022,” the coat of arms of Romania, the denomination “100 LEI,” and the word “ROMANIA.” On the coin’s reverse…

Nov 29, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel offers remedy for secularisation during Bucharest monastic synaxis

During the annual assembly of the superiors of all monasteries within the Archdiocese of Bucharest, which took place last Thursday at the Patriarchal Palace, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel shared his thoughts on prayer, hesychasm, and the antidote to secularisation. The most concise and intense prayer “The first duty of a monk or nun is to…

Nov 28, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod Library marks 60th anniversary of the repose of hesychast elder Daniil Sandu Tudor

The Library of the Holy Synod organised an event last Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the blessed repose of hieroschemamonk Daniil Sandu Tudor, the founder of the unique spiritual movement called the Burning Bush (Rugul Aprins). A radio play titled “Sandu Tudor – The Flower of Fire of the Burning Bush” was heard.…

Nov 24, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Annual report on intolerance against Christians in Europe draws attention to chilling effect

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) released its annual report in the context of the International Day of Tolerance (Nov. 16). It focuses on three main developments of intolerance against Christians in European countries: Anti-Christian hate crimes, self-censorship and negative stereotypes and treatment of Christians in the media. OIDAC provides…

Nov 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: November 14 – 20, 2022

The first snow fell in several cities in Romania after entering the second half of November. We invite you to view our weekly pictures selection between November 14 and November 20, 2022. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Basilica.ro (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be…

Nov 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of soon-to-be canonised Romanian Athonite Elder exhumed

The Patriarch of Romania delegated Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova to attend the exhumation ceremony of the relics of Elder Dionisie Ignat, which took place at St George Cell of Colciu Skete on Mount Athos last week. The monks of Vatopedi Monastery, on whose territory the cell where Father Dionisie Ignat lived, unearthed the relics…

Nov 22, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu